Former chief justice Eusoff Chin today branded as lies all allegations that he had received gifts from lawyer VK Lingam in 1995.

He said that the allegations by Lingam’s brother, Thirunama Karasu of him receiving a briefcase, wallet, ladies’ handbag and handphone were concocted and a big lie.

“It never happened. No such thing. Why should he? A very big lie, concoction.”

Continuing his testimony today, Eusoff also rejected claims that Lingam had gone to his (Eusoff) house with files and had discussions with him when he was the chief justice.

“He never visited me, day or night,” Eusoff said.

Apart from their encounters in court, Eusoff said that he never met Lingam for any matter.

Eusoff: Anyone can approach me. My door was open ... if someone wants to see me, even for a few minutes, I will not disappoint him.

Ranjit: Are you suggesting that Lingam entered your open door?

Eusoff: If he wanted to, he could.

Ranjit: The question is, did he?

Eusoff: Never.

It’s my house

Eusoff also denied an allegation raised by his counsel Zamani Ibrahim that Thirunama had been instructed to bring Eusoff to view a house in Kampung Tunku.

It was alleged that Lingam had intended to give Eusoff the house but the latter had rejected the gift.

“My wife bought the house I am now staying in. I already have a house,” he said.

Eusoff also denied that he had sent Lingam and his wife off at Lingam’s house when the couple travelled to America to seek medical treatment.

He said that the lawyer had never sought his assistance to broker the appointment of judges.

Eusoff also disclaimed any further involvement with judicial matters after his retirement.

“In 2001, I had no contact with the court or with the prime minister. Why should I get involved? There’s a new chief in the court. Why should I get involved?”

Eusoff added that not all his recommendations for judicial positions were accepted by the government or the prime minister.

Eusoff again rejected claims that he and Lingam were extremely close.

“I think he felt like that. I don’t feel like that. He claim himself to be extremely close. His relationship with me (is) lawyer and judge.”

The fishing trip

Eusoff, appeared slightly irritated by Bar Council lawyer Ranjit Singh’s questions about his 1994 New Zealand holiday.

When questioned about a fishing trip in Queenstown which the two were photographed on, Eusoff said that Lingam had asked to join him.

Ranjit: Can you explain how your family and VK Lingam’s family are on the same fishing boat in Queenstown?

Eusoff: At the time after Christmas, I was very bored. Nobody there, no where to go ... then we came to this place where the boats are there for hire. The fare was reasonable to I decided to take a boat ride.

Ranjit: Who is we?

Eusoff: My wife, my family.

Ranjit: Was Lingam walking with you?

Eusoff: No, as I said, Queenstown is a small place. He may be around somewhere.

Eusoff: You have to fill out forms for fishing license and all that...

Ranjit: Since you were not with Lingam, how is it ... (interrupted)

Eusoff: So when I finish all this, I realised he was behind. He said “Where are you going?” ... “Can I come along?” and I said if there is enough space, why not? He also (has) no where to go. Nothing suspicious.

Ranjit: Another coincidence?

Eusoff: Not coincidence. It was flat land, open. He could have seen me.

Media misreport

Interrogated by Ranjit on his press statements in 2000 regarding the infamous New Zealand holiday, Eusoff suggested that he could have been misreported.

Ranjit: Referring to the Sun, you said words to the effect that you bumped into him in New Zealand. There is evidence that there was much more than coincidental bumping. There were same flights, a fishing trip and various photos. Why did you not explain all this to the press?

Eusoff: It’s up to the press. Sometimes you talk more than 1,000 words they only report 100 words. I bump into him many many times.

Ranjit: Can I suggest that you did not reveal the extent of the holiday because it would put you in bad light? Do you agree?

Eusoff: I don’t agree.

Eusoff, who was grilled on the travel itinerary again, revealed that his holiday was planned by Betty Lim, someone who handles travel arrangement for judges.

Ranjit: (referring to the travel itinerary) Would you consider this a private document between you and Holiday Tours and Travel?

Eusoff: This is kept by my secretary. I told my secretary I got one week (holiday) ... my secretary contacted this Chinese lady Betty Lim - she books tickets for judges... - I was told later by Rohani that Betty Lim planned the whole thing for me. What is there to be secret? If I was going out, a circular is issued (to inform other judges of my absence)

Eusoff also denied knowledge as to why his travel itinerary was also sent to a woman named Jeyanthi saying “It’s up to her (his secretary Rohani), I do not know all this.”

Last week, Lingam had testified that he had a secretary named Jeyanthi but resisted suggestion that the New Zealand holiday was planned in collaboration.

Commission chairperson Haidar Mohamed Noor objected to the inference that Jeyanthi named in the itinerary was indeed Lingam secretary.

“You cannot assume. Step by step-lah. Be fair to the witness,” Haidar told Ranjit.