RCI: Finally, a gentleman appears

YL Chong the journalist in me did not up till now post much on the Royal Commission of Inquiry as it mainly contains all the elements of a Sandiwara. That was until Yesterday -- when all our troubles seem'd so far away? -- when finally, a gentleman appeared to testify.

Desi's humble opinion is that we have seen thus far a comedy thrust upon the reluctant public, and the comical decibels became too loud and constant for any decent Malaysian to stomach because the show is mounted on tax-payers money. First the three-member Panel put on the Act 1.

Now Act 2 is in progress minus one from Panel One -- thanks goodness the Government realises one Face of NS was toomany to stomach, a saving grace of the Sleeping Beaut? --but two remaining members continue to poison the air at the Duta Court complex. As for three new members -- savbe for ONE, the other two might as well be acting in the circus as The Three Monkeys ala See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil -- and for once, I lost respect for a certain professor whom I have had held in high esteem to date. Poor association with Humpty Dumpty on the (crmbling) Wall.

Meanwhile, I reprise a report usually more independent than our MSM as an outsider journalist is often more inclined to be objective, the politics not wit'standing!:)


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Ex-CJ calls his predecessor deceitful and a poor leader

Wednesday, 30 January 2008

Dzaiddin's testimony at judge-fixing inquiry exposes deep rifts in top ranks of judiciary

By Carolyn Hong, The Straits Times

MALAYSIA'S former chief justice yesterday told a government inquiry that his predecessor had been deceitful and lacked leadership, exposing deep rifts in the top ranks of the judiciary.


Tun Dzaiddin Abdullah, who was the top judge from 2000 to 2003, said Tun Eusoff Chin had marginalised him and lacked direction in his leadership.

He also told the inquiry into a judge-fixing scandal that Tun Eusoff had failed to recommend him for state honours for years despite telling him that he had done so.

'He's not truthful to me, that's a fact,' he said.

The issue arose after he was asked about a lawyer's claim, as captured in a video clip, that he hated Tun Eusoff.

'I don't hate him but I dislike him,' said Tun Dzaiddin.

The former judge's testimony appeared to bear out the claims made by a man resembling lawyer V. K. Lingam in the video clip. The man claimed to be close to Tun Eusoff and was working with him to ensure that Tun Dzaiddin's recommendations for judicial posts were rejected, in an indication of rifts in the judiciary.

Tun Dzaiddin, who yesterday confirmed the perception of differences between top judges, also said then premier Mahathir Mohamad had rejected several of his recommendations for judicial posts. The former PM had instead recommended that Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim be promoted.

In the video clip, the man was heard saying that Tun Ahmad Fairuz would be promoted.

Tun Ahmad Fairuz later became chief justice and retired last year.

The clip forced the government to set up the inquiry panel after it renewed suspicions of overly cosy ties between lawyers and judges.

In a twist to the saga, another segment of the video was released by the opposition on Monday in which the lawyer, said to be Datuk Lingam, is heard claiming that he had given a 'very expensive gift' to Tun Dzaiddin, and taken him out to dinner three times.

Tun Dzaiddin told The Straits Times yesterday that the allegations were false.

'I categorically state that all the allegations made regarding me are absolutely untrue,' he said.

The commission has yet to decide whether to hear evidence on this.

Tycoon Vincent Tan Chee Yioun also took the stand yesterday.

The businessman, who allegedly helped Datuk Lingam organise judicial promotions through his friendship with Tun Dr Mahathir, denied that he was ever involved.

He said he had never spoken to Tun Dr Mahathir about judicial appointments.

'It's ridiculous. You mean the PM calls me to talk about judges, it's a real joke,' said Tan Sri Tan, who was loquacious in his answers.

Asked how he knew Tun Dr Mahathir, he described the former premier as an 'excellent man, very good man, helpful and a visionary'.

He said he knew Datuk Lingam as a lawyer who did work for him.

'When I viewed the tape, I was disappointed with the things he said, talking rubbish, bragging so much, saying things like he can scold me. We pay a lot of his fees,' he said.

He added that he was now re-evaluating his professional relationship with Datuk Lingam after 'he has made a fool of himself'.


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Interlude: Got called at 11.09pm for a nigh-midnight randywoo -- wit' endless roundsof tehtarik as puller!:), hence I can't resist! -- so I stop here and I urge my ER to be Miss Patience, eh? IF you did not puke thus far at the goings-on at the RCI, I guess you have honed Miss Patience to a priceless Virtue. GOoD for you:)!

RESUMED@11.51pm on a fool belly because mGf Mr Coww insisted I ate the lamb because, after losing sight of Mary, it entered the kitchen place next to Johnny Depp's barberBQ shop.

Before Tun Dzaiddin tok the witness stand, those who testified at the RCI either suffered from amnesia or pretended they could do a Ronald Reagan, both in his youthfool actor's daes as well as in his fading years victimised by Alzhemier's.

I can't remember,
I don't know...

were constant refrains ran for two blardy long weeks of the Malaysian Courtly Sandiwara where the Jesters and Joker reigned more supreme than the Commissioners.

I did not really know whether to laugh or cry.

An initial comedy of turning and churning and burning into a tragedy of gigantic proportions. Malaysia does not deserve this.

Mayhaps more witnesses akin to Tun Dzaiddin's class would also soon appear? Saudara Anwar and a former assitant governor of Bank Negara, Murad -- where art thou? I a Mister hope against MISS HOPE.

Oh I believe in Yesterday
Now I long for Yesterday...