Press Statement by Charles Santiago in Parliament on Monday, 26^th October 2009:

Najib’s 1Malaysia justice: Lingam goes free?

Infamous lawyer VK Lingam goes scott-free. And despite the fact that in a video, Lingam discussed about judicial appointments which not just prompted a nationwide outcry but also further tarnished the country's judiciary.

In a phone call which was recorded, Lingam assured Ahmad Fairuz Shiekh Abdul Halim, who was then a judge, then he would help him make it to the top, with the aid of a business tycoon and politician.

Ahmad Fairuz went on to become the chief justice till he retired in 2007. Former Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, was also implicated in this scandal.

Yet, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Abdul Aziz has said that no legal action would be taken against Lingam as the anti-corruption officials have concluded that there was no evidence to show a criminal offence was committed.

Where the anti-graft body was concerned there was no abuse of power in the appointment of judges by Lingam. But we all know this is not true. Malaysians are completely aware of the political game that was crafted against the backdrop of back door deals and cosy arrangements to let Lingam off the hook.

This is appalling, more so when we compare Lingam's beaming face with the body of Teoh Beng Hock that was found sprawled on the roof of a building that houses the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the testimony by renowned Thai Pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand that Teoh was probably strangled, hit on the head and sodomised before his death.

Teoh was under investigation for the alleged misappropriation of RM 2,400 by his boss while the Royal Commission of Inquiry's findings revealed Lingam brokered the selection of judges. This clearly shows that the government protects those in power and makes sure they are exempted from punishment.

In short the government is in cohorts with the police, MACC and Attorney-General's office. This is outrageous and a travesty of justice.

It also makes us wonder about Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's pledge to clean up and wipe out corruption. Evidently his rallying cry was a curtain raiser to hoodwink the people and regain the support of the electorate who are becoming increasingly tired of Najib's rhetoric and endless campaign slogans.

So could we seriously believe that the UMNO-led BN government would keep its promise of working for the people and weeding out graft? The answer does not favor Najib and his administration.

In the name of justice, I strongly support the decision by the Bar Council to continue its internal proceedings and investigations on Lingam. The government, on the other hand, has to make good its promises.

* Charles Santiago, Selangor DAP Vice Chairman & MP for Klang