| Prominent lawyer VK Lingam today broke his two-month silence on his alleged role in the appointment of ‘friendly’ judges to the higher courts.
He said he would cooperate with the royal commission to be set up by the government to look into the ‘Lingam tape’ scandal, named for his alleged involvement in a telephone conversation recorded in 2002.
“ I will surely cooperate with the royal commission. And as such, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further on the matter now,” he told Malaysiakini today when contacted this afternoon. 
He sounded calm and collected when asked about his alleged involvement which was caught on camera.
Lingam has proved elusive to track down for comments since the eight-minute video clip was revealed by PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim on Sept 19.
The clip showed Lingam in a telephone conversation purportedly with then chief judge of Malaya Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim, discussing the appointment of judges to the Court of Appeal and Federal Court.
Ahmad Fairuz was appointed chief justice in 2003. He retired from the post on Oct 31.
‘I will clear my name’
Lingam added that he would also cooperate with all other enforcement agencies that are currently investigating the Lingam tape.
It has been previously reported that the Anti-Corruption Agency has recorded a statement from Lingam over his remarks made in the video clip.
“ When the time comes, I will come forward and show myself not just to the royal commission, but also to the ACA or anyone else,” he added.
“I feel I shouldn’t be saying anything at this time. At the royal commission, I will clear my name.”
Lingam has refused to speak to the media ever since the controversial video clip was released - although he was reportedly abroad at the time - apart from saying that he would issue a statement at an appropriate time.
More revelations regarding Lingam’s alleged cosy relations with top judges were made on Sunday by lawyer Wee Choo Keong, who referred to the police reports lodged by Lingam’s estranged brother Thirunama Karasu Kandar Veluppillai, 49.
In the police reports, Thirunama had alleged that Lingam had "used" him to corrupt ex-chief justice Eusoff Chin, former attorney-general Mohtar Abdullah, a former police chief, and several senior judges.
Lingam today denied these allegations, stating in a press statement that his younger brother was a “psychiatric patient who suffers from hallucinations, strong suicidal tendencies, delusions and major depression”.
He said that Thirunama was being used, manipulated and exploited by persons with selfish motives and agenda. |
