In the wake of mounting criticism over the 'closure' of the VK Lingam case, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's operations review panel (PPO) has expressed interest in reexamining the matter.

royal commission vk lingam tape hearing room evidence 140108 comparison photo to video Contacted today, a MACC spokesperson said the PPO will send a letter to the attorney-general's chambers seeking permission to do so.

The decision to review the high-profile case was made during the PPO's quarterly meeting this morning.

The panel consists of chairperson, former auditor-general Hadenan Abdul Jalil, Cecil Abraham, Nik Mohd Hasyudeen Yusoff, Walter Sandosam, Aminah Pit Abd Raman, Md Hamzah Md. Kassim and Syed Noh Syed Ahmad.

"The PPO wants to review the case on the basis of public interest," stressed the spokesperson, adding that the panel's recommendations are binding on the MACC as stipulated by the MACC Act 2008.

The government came under fire when de facto law minister Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz disclosed that 'no further action' would be taken on the case.

He also ignited a blaze of protest when he reasoned that Lingam's actions, while morally wrong, did not transgress any laws.

Royal commission wanted further action

Previously, even former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad had expressed disappointment that Lingam, a prominent lawyer, would not be hauled to court.

Mahathir, who had been implicated in the infamous video-clip which showcased the lawyer allegedly brokering the appointment of judges, said that he was looking forward to taking the stand in order to clear his name.

When the clip was first exposed by Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim in 2007, the scandal made it to the pages of newspapers the world over.

Following this, the government, under then premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, set up a royal commission to probe the matter.

vk lingam scandal mahathir eusoff chin adnan fairuz vincent lingam The commission later recommended that several prominent figures such as Mahathir, two former chief justices Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim and Eusoff Chin, former tourism minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and business tycoon Vincent Tan be investigated under the Sedition Act, Official Secrets and Penal Code.

Lingam has since denied that it was him in the video-clip, paving the way for his now famous quote - "it looks like me, sounds like me".