The four-volume 186-page Lingam Video Clip Royal Commission of Inquiry Report, which was submitted to the Yang di Pertuan Agong yesterday, should be tabled in Parliament on Monday, in toto without any abridgement, regardless of whether the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had read or approved of it or not.
In first-world developed countries where governments are held strictly to international best practices of accountability, transparency, integrity and good governance, it would be completely unthinkable for the reports of Royal Commissions of Inquiry to be withheld from the public.
In fact, it is the practice of these countries for reports of Royal Commissions of Inquiry or other public investigations to be simultaneously released to the public when the reports or findings are submitted to the appointing authorities, whether the ruling monarch, the head of state or government.
Yesterday, Abdullah said he would decide whether to make the Royal Commission report public once he has read it.
He said: “I haven’t seen it yet. If it was submitted to the Prime Minister’s Department, it must have been while the cabinet was meeting.”
Does it really matter whether the Prime Minister had personally seen or read it or not, or whether it had been submitted to the Prime Minister’s Department while the cabinet was meeting?
The notion that the government, whether the Prime Minister or Cabinet, in first-world developed countries could exercise the right of veto as to whether such reports should be made public would be anathema and offends every sense of accountability, transparency, integrity and good governance and sufficient basis to create a political crisis resulting in the resignation or downfall of such a Cabinet.
Five years ago, Abdullah promised to transform Malaysia from a “first-world infrastructure, third-world mentality” nation to one with “first-world infrastructure, first-world mentality” under his premiership.
Let Abdullah set the example of such “first-world infrastructure, first-world mentality” by announcing that the report of the Lingam Video Clip Royal Commission of Inquiry would be made public and tabled in Parliament on Monday, regardless of whether he could finish reading it or his personal reactions to it.
It is time the Prime Minister and the Cabinet realize that reports of Royal Commissions of Inquiry must be made public because national interests must prevail over individual, sectional or even government interests.
Abdullah should not set the bad example of giving Royal Commissions of Inquiry a bad name by setting them up yet refusing to make their findings public, regardless of their contents and recommendations.
Abdullah should be mindful that he would be destroying his credibility that he is capable of fulfilling, though belatedly, his reformist pledges in his second term of premiership if he refuses to make public the Lingam Video Tape Royal Commission of Inquiry report – unless forced by the pressure of public opinion.
#1 by badcliq on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 3:01 pm
As usual, slaping own mouth. Say 1 thing, action is otherwise!
#2 by PSM on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 3:20 pm
Bro Kit,
It’s called Royal Commission of Inquiry & not PM Commission of Inquiry. The report should be submitted to HRH & then upon “approval” of HRH it should be made “public”. Period!
Yes, table it in Parliment by all means.
The PM wants to read it first & then decide? Why? For obvious reasons. Let’s see what happens next.
#3 by same chong on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 3:23 pm
Uncle Lim, you are absolutely right that he is not right of not publicly disclosing it.
#4 by albert308 on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 3:32 pm
PM respond shows that he still ‘drunk’ with power, he has not absorb March 8 message. Most people will agree he continue sleeping.
Anyway, The Star reports about the Royal Commission finding in proactive way:
The Star Online > Nation
Saturday May 10, 2008
Panel finds Lingam video clip authentic
KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Lingam video clip has found that it was former Chief Justice Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim who was talking to prominent lawyer Datuk V.K. Lingam on the telephone.
Sources said the five-man panel also found that the video clip was authentic and that the conversation was true in substance.
They said the commission also found that it was lawyer Loh Mui Fah who Lingam was speaking to after his telephone conversation with Fairuz.
Commission chairman Tan Sri Haidar Mohamed Noor presented a two-volume report on the findings to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin at the Istana Negara here yesterday.
The commission commenced its enquiry on Jan 14.
Duty accomplished: The Royal Commission’s secretary Datuk Abdullah Sani Abd Hamid speaking to reporters as he leaves Istana Negara Friday morning. The panel found that it was Ahmad Fairuz (below, right) who was talking to Lingam on the telephone in the video clip.
The sources said the commission also found that there was sufficient evidence of misbehaviour by certain persons mentioned or identified in the clip.
They said the commission found sufficient reason for the relevant authorities to take appropriate action against those implicated for breaches of the Sedition Act, the Penal Code, the Official Secrets Act, the Legal Profession Act and other laws.
They added that the commission was recommending the Government set up a Judicial Appointments Commission and to undertake other necessary reforms.
Sources also said the commission stated that its report was not meant as an indictment against all judges.
Former Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Haidar Mohamed Noor, who chaired the commission, said yesterday that the King was happy that the enquiry had been completed.
The other four members of the commission were former Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Steve Shim Lip Kiong, former Court of Appeal Judge and former Suhakam commissioner Datuk Mahadev Shankar, former Solicitor-General Puan Sri Zaitun Zawiyah Puteh and Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Khoo Kay Kim.
The video clip showing the apparent brokering of judicial appointments and promotions first came to light on Sept 19 last year when PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim released it at a press conference.
Anwar later released two more segments that showed Lingam telling Loh that he had been talking to Fairuz.
On Sept 25, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced that an independent inquiry committee would investigate the authenticity of the video clip purportedly made in 2001.
The committee completed its report on Nov 6. It was studied by the Cabinet but never made public.
Based on the recommendations of the committee, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced the setting up of the commission on Dec 12.
At the conclusion of the enquiry on Feb 15, the commission had heard testimony from 21 witnesses and received more than 100 exhibits and over 15 statutory declarations.
Among the prominent witnesses were former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, former minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, tycoon Tan Sri Vincent Tan and retired chief justices Tun Mohamed Eusoff Chin and Tun Mohamed Dzaiddin Abdullah.
The commission had first fixed March 11 to submit the report to the King but sought two one-month extensions later.
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© 1995-2008 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)
#5 by novice101 on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 3:38 pm
AAB is quick in asking the AG to look into prosecting Karpal Singh. He should give the same urgency into this case, He should ask the AG to give this case his top priority.
#6 by LALILOo on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 3:44 pm
So, the Report is out.
And the man on the other end was Fairuz.
And that the discussion and it’s content was real.
So what?
Still, the PM has got the final say on this matter.
He could, like a true man, and disclose the Report, or he also could re-classify it as Official Secret and not disclose them.
So, don’t have any high hopes that he would be man enough to do such an “honourable” thing. You can only dream about it but don’t hope too much. For the PM would certaintly dissapoint you. He will crush your hopes.
For all you know, it will be an anti-climax and he’ll sweep the issue under the carpet, LIKE ALWAYS.
#7 by pohsoon on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 3:49 pm
I’m totally agreed that whether the PM read it yet or not is totally irrelevant on whether the report to be make public or not.
The report must be make public regardless of whether PM happy with it or not. PERIOD.
#8 by natives.r.restless on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 4:16 pm
Why held a Royal Commission of Inquiry if it’s not going public ???
Wouldn’t it be idiotic ?
#9 by whoisthis on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 4:20 pm
Even the Israeli government made the Winograd Report on the Lebanon War, public and for the whole world to see.
Israeli Newspaper report on Jan 15 2008,
The partial report by a government-appointed committee probing the Second Lebanon War on Monday accused Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of “severe failure” in exercising judgment, responsibility and caution during the outset of the war.
#10 by kai on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 4:25 pm
What is the point of having a Royal Commission of Enquiry and not releasing same to the public of its finding? If this is the case, then what a waste of money? Yes, every Royal Enquiries done in Australia are released to the public once completed. Not to say that I have read any yet. Watching the 6pm news is good enough for me LOL!
#11 by drmaharajahrk on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 4:32 pm
Sec Gen of UMNO implicated in this case ma, former chief justice implicated, former prime minister and umno president implicated……….
how to ask AG to give importance to this case ?
#12 by grace on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 4:39 pm
Mr Lim,
Hope they spend time in getting the offending judge and the lawyer in question.
With the time trying to pin down the likes of RPK and Karpal, the Attorney could use their resources to build up a stronger cases against the judge, lawyers in the tape. Or The AG should spend time getting Altantunya’s murderers andSEND THEM TO HELL!!!
#13 by badak on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 4:44 pm
This is a ROYAL COMMISSION REPORT and not a white paper report. The KING must read it first.then only the PM,Has the PM ASK PERMISSION from the KING to read it first.this is a ROYAL COMMISION REPORT.The O.S.A CAN NOT BE USE IN THIS CONTACTS.
#14 by Godson on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 4:45 pm
AAB….ZZZZzzzzzzzz.
Sleep come first. The rest…..Monkey see, monkey do.
#15 by disapointed86 on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 4:49 pm
i thought the Royal Commission of Inquiry should acknowledge the public on the findings and results?…why do we still need to get approval from sleeping guy in order to make it publicly..?…what AAB is going to do next??..act dont know anything?
#16 by Mr Smith on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 5:11 pm
“Abdullah should be mindful that he would be destroying his credibility…..”
What credibility has he got? Hasn’t he been rejected by the people on March 8? Nobody trusts him.
#17 by Tantech on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 5:28 pm
Read first, then consider whether to make public. It means:
1. If it is a superficial and general report, then make public.
2. If it affects the govt, then have to cover it.
By making it public, the govt is determined to reform judiciary.
By keeping it, the govt is rotting judiciary.
#18 by CheeseBall on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 5:33 pm
“Abdullah should do this, should do that, it is time, blah blah blah..”.
Everyone (especially PR) please wake up to the fact and realise he will NOT do anything for anyone, except to enrich and empower himself and his BN cronies further.
Instead of “it is time for BN to..”, it should now be, “it is time for PR to bring Msia into the 21st century!”.
The primary focus for PR now is to concentrate on objectives to totally win the next election and render BN obsolete.
Does PR want to continue fighting losing battles (from which your opponents make and break the rules as they see fit), or to win the war? Thnk about that…
#19 by justice_fighter on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 5:35 pm
It does not take a genius to figure out that AAB needs to make sure the report is not harmful to him and his cronies before making it public. Simple logic of a coward and selfish PM.
#20 by observer on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 5:37 pm
AAB in his usual mode again.. remain elegantly silence and hope other Issues will crop up and cover up this RCI report. Uncle Kit do what you should do… Keep up the pressure.
#21 by boh-liao on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 5:41 pm
Correct, correct, correct – the Report says – the tape is authentic and the characters are what we were told previously.
AAB – where got time lah to concern himself with the Report; priority number 1 is pressurizing the Attorney-General, the faithful servant of the PM, to charge Karpal Singh for sedition.
#22 by dennyboy on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 5:55 pm
He has not yet made a decision on whether to make it public?????
Ai-yo, so pathetic lah. When something like this so gravely concerns the public interest, he didn’t even declare from the outset that it will be made public.
#23 by oct on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 5:55 pm
Sure our PM wil read the report. In the midst he will fall asleep. Next when he wakes up and when people ask about it, he will say ‘I don’t know’. The usual reply.
#24 by shortie kiasu on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 5:59 pm
“Abdullah said he would decide whether to make the Royal Commission report public once he has read it.”
We doubt seriously that he understands such a report, on top of that, the report consists of 4 volumes. He will sit on it and may be “lay eggs” over it.
We have witness many instances in the past how he handled many “big” issues. He will sit on it until the next election comes along.
Parliament should the highest authority to discuss and deal with such important matter that affects the integrity of the judiaciary of the country.
Abdullah canont decide on this. His past record and performance has proven he is incapable.
#25 by nkeng11 on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 5:59 pm
I would not be surprised if the incompetent PM says that the report from the Royal commission will be released when the time is right.
When is the right time? Your guess is as good as mine. He will then keep quiet again hoping the issue will go away.
In the meantime Dr. M will be very silent fearing that PakLah will let go the adverse report against him.
I expect Dr. M to be quiet and speechless for another 6 months till the UMNO GE. May after that only will he have the guts to speak.
I would also not dismissed the fact that additional recommendation that Dr. M be found guilty as well.
Those implicated directly and indirectly now have their Balls squeezed. The pressure is getting more intense.
This is how Pak Lah going to handle his adversaries now.
What about the others whose balls are slippery? Well, there are laws and Karpal Singh is one example.
I wonder if we should sent him a list of people he should get the law after them….like the PKFZ blunder…etc..etc.
#26 by boh-liao on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 6:22 pm
Maybe the Report is just tooooo thick for AAB to read. Maybe he is waiting for the 4th floor boys and SIL to advise him what to say. Is this sedition?
#27 by hiro on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 7:03 pm
PM will take a year to read it. What were the journalists doing? Should have asked him WHEN he will finish reading and WHEN he will make a decision.
#28 by kingkenny on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 7:04 pm
AAB, u pantang di cabar?
I am hereby cabar-ing you,
DO YOU DARE TO MAKE IT PUBLIC??!
don’t be chicken-out now, you’ve gone too ‘far’ to chicken-out now this time!!
#29 by isahbiazhar on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 7:10 pm
The report will be made public because there is nothing to hide.The government had already set the ball rolling.Government cannot keep anything secret because it is not our culture.After the election even Mahathir had changed.He had left out secrets.
#30 by undergrad2 on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 7:21 pm
The Royal Commission Report on the Lingam tape.
You don’t inform somebody what he already knows. You inform him what the public has come to know so he could do the ‘right’ thing.
#31 by slashed on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 7:30 pm
Perhaps the judge in the Altantuya case shouldve asked you-know-who (et al) for permission too.
#32 by undergrad2 on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 7:31 pm
Making the Royal Commission Report public?
Who knows what they’ll say next! That the material it contains has a seditious tendency as defined under Sec. 3 of the Sedition Act 1948, and to have it circulated would mean to commit an offence under Sec. 4 of the Act?
That shouldn’t surprise anyone.
#33 by drmaharajahrk on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 7:37 pm
i say man you all aaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh living in Malaysia so long also dunno Malaysian politics
You think it was Haidar’s idea to openly say that the report should be made public ? cmmon la……… thats to scare the shit outta Tun M.
Now PL will study the report and he will declare it’s not the right time to release the report now.
Tun M will keep quiet till Dec 2008. PL will win uncontested and the rakyat would have forgotten abt the tape by then……
correct correct correct ?
#34 by peterchiang on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 7:50 pm
Some people is interested to know if Tengku Adnan has been given special mention in the report.
#35 by ALLAN THAM on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 8:26 pm
wong chun wai from the Star wrote in his blog about people perception on many current issues. he could not be more right. if perception of the people is not corrected in real time it will perceived as real by the public. now the RCI report is out yet PM is unsure to make it public or not. before the RCI, people perception on the judiciary was that it is tainted with corruption and abuse of power by many judges included the highest raking judge. If RCI on LIngam Tape is not make public is will do more harm than good to the government.
#36 by Godfather on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 8:34 pm
It’ll take Sleepy Head at least 6 months to read the 186 page report. By the time he finishes the report, all those named therein would have “migrated” to London, Australia, and elsewhere. On the basis that their whereabouts can’t be traced, the logical conclusion from Badawi would be “case closed”.
#37 by ch on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 8:46 pm
Dear All,
Despite agreeing that the Royal Commission Report on Lingam Video Clip should be made public, Tan Sri Haidar commented with a caveat that it is up to the Prime Minister who has the final say on the matter. Such comment reflects the unseen hands above the suppossedly independent commission and further give credence to Dr. Mahathir, who has outwardly commented that such independent commissions are still under the thumb of the Prime Minister.
I may be wrong but if the Royal Commission is indeed independent then the decision to have the concluded investigation report to be made public or otherwise should lies in the hand of the Chairman of the board. It defeats the purpose if the Chairman of the board still has to refer to the Prime Minister on a final decision.
If we are not to lose our self respect, then it is more so of importance that the report be made public. Failing which, all future independent commissions would be seen as a mere show (pseudo Independent Commission) and the members being vassals of the powers-that-be. Am sorry to say this but the circumstances reflect as such.
What do you think?
#38 by sheriff singh on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 8:53 pm
If this is a ROYAL Commission of Inquiry, then it is up to the King to decide.
The PM cannot decide else he will be “insulting” the Ruler as per the Perak MB’s transfer case. So Pak Lah, seek an audience with his Majesty, else Karpal might make some comments again and get himself into trouble.
#39 by kenyalan08 on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 9:29 pm
YB LIM,
Do we have ground to make police report against PM for making statement “belittle ” our HONOURABLE ROYAL HIGHNESS . He sounds as if no one except him to decide- bypass the ROYAL .
#40 by Samuel Goh Kim Eng on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 10:04 pm
In the art of keeping things static
There’ll be again the delay tactics
Going merry-go-round with statistics
We now live in not-so-clear plastics
(C) Samuel Goh Kim Eng – 100508
http://MotivationInMotion.blogspot.com
Sat. 10th May 2008.
#41 by ENDANGERED HORNBILL on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 10:27 pm
The public asked for the RCI long before Pak Lah even dreamt of it.
The RCI was paid for by the public.
The RCI Report is a matter of definite public interest. Obviously, judges’ decisions affect the common people and the people have exercised their rights and shown their displeasure to the BN in the last GE for pussyfooting around the Fairuz-Lingam RCI.
This RCI must be presented in toto to the Rakyat’s representatives in Parliament. Why not? Still want to pussyfoot around, eh!
#42 by alancheah on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 10:29 pm
pohsoon Says:
Today at 15: 49.39 (6 hours ago)
I’m totally agreed that whether the PM read it yet or not is totally irrelevant on whether the report to be make public or not.
The report must be make public regardless of whether PM happy with it or not. PERIOD.
==========================================
U are RIGHT.
Please REVEAL the report to all Malaysians!
#43 by yhsiew on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 10:40 pm
If the report is not made public, the purpose of the Royal Commissions of Inquiry will be defeated.
If PL refuses to release the finding to the public, people will naturally assume that the report is full of scandals.
#44 by dawsheng on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 11:11 pm
“Does it really matter whether the Prime Minister had personally seen or read it or not, or whether it had been submitted to the Prime Minister’s Department while the cabinet was meeting?”
Not when Abdullah Badawi is the Prime Minister, nothing matters to him as the country is now running by itself.
#45 by pwcheng on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 11:42 pm
I agree with you whole heartedly Brother Kit. It does not matter whether our sleepy PM has read the Royal Commission Report or not because the purpose of the commission is to reveal to the public on the truth of the matter, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. By saying that, he is shooting at his foot again. This guy does not seem to have any credibility, however hard he can try and I do not trust him for tuppence.
http://towardsgoodgovernance.blogspot.com/
#46 by limkamput on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 11:51 pm
For sure all us want the report to be made public. But I am not sure whether the content would meet expectation despite whatever the Star has said.
By the way when we talk about disclosure of reports, can anyone confirm that the annual report of the Auditor General was actually disclosed FULLY and not selectively?
#47 by tunglang on Sunday, 11 May 2008 - 12:50 am
RCI: PM, wake up, wake up. The Lingam Video Clip RCI Report is ready. It should be made public.
PL : The time is not right yet. I have to sleep on it. Let me dream first.
RCI: PM, wake up, read it. It’s Correct all the while. And let the Rakyat know it’s Correct.
PL : The time is not right yet. Let them read the blogs. Let them comment.
RCI: PM, what if they comment and kena tangkap, like that fella RPK?
PL: Correct! Correct! Correct!
#48 by Love Dap on Sunday, 11 May 2008 - 2:30 am
With such a statement, obviously, badawi is still dreaming in his wonderland,yet to awake and realize that BN had suffered the greatest loss in the 12th GE, and he needs to take immediate action and be 100% transperant in the Lingam case !!
#49 by chiakchua on Sunday, 11 May 2008 - 5:42 am
Yes, when the parliament is having the meeting now, the report should be tabled in the parliament right away; this is something more than concerning public interest. The PM shouldn’t treat the report as something the he has the ‘priviledge or power’ to decide on whether to make it public. Procrastination of the PM make him looked indecisive!
#50 by undergrad2 on Sunday, 11 May 2008 - 5:46 am
“It’ll take Sleepy Head at least 6 months to read the 186 page report.” GODFATHER
In that case we should make V.K. Lingam read the Report as an invited guest in Parliament. Who else is better informed to tell us what is “correct” and what is not?