An independent body will be set up immediately to investigate the 'nude ear squats' incident, said Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on his return today from Malta where he had been attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

"I have been briefed on the case and I have decided that an independent enquiry be carried out," he told reporters at the Royal Malaysia Air Force Base in Subang this morning.

Saying the names of the individuals had been shortlisted, he said he would speak to those concerned "to find out whether they are willing to be members of the body", according to Bernama.

Asked who would head the body, Abdullah said this was still under consideration "as there are many (people) in (my) mind".

Images of a woman of apparently Chinese descent being made to strip and perform ear-squats by a female police officer have scandalised Malaysians since the video-clip was exposed last week.

Newspapers today reported that the police have recorded a statement from a policeman said to have recorded the incident on a mobile phone.