The upbeat mood at the 'walk for justice' in Putrajaya belied serious intent - to protest the erosion of judicial independence in light of claims in the 'Lingam tape'.

The last time that lawyers took to the streets was during the 1999 Anwar trial when a lawyer was cited for contempt. Before that, they took to the streets in 1978 to protest against the Societies Act.

This morning, after police stopped buses ferrying the protesters to Putrajaya, some 200 occupants got off and walked to the Palace of Justice.

Bar Council human rights committee deputy head Amer Hamzah Arshad, holding a loud-hailer, led their chants as they walked:

Who are we? Malaysian Bar!

What do we want? Justice!

We're doing this for the sake of the country! Correct! Correct! Correct!

(The final response mimics senior lawyer VK Lingam in the video recording which purportedly reveals attempts to fix judicial appointments.)

Malaysiakini talked to several lawyers before the march officially began at noon, to find out what drove them to join the protest.

They were also asked to comment on a statement by de facto law minister Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz and the government's creation of a panel of inquiry to examine the authenticity of the Lingam tape.

Ambiga Sreenevasan, Bar Council president

On police stopping the buses : We're rather surprised. These are buses full of lawyers coming in to hold a peaceful march which we planned to do in half an hour and hand in the memorandum, so I'm disappointed about it. I've stressed that this will be a peaceful march, and if we are left alone, it will be a peaceful march.

On Nazri's statement: We don't think so. Was (Indian nationalist Mohandas K) Gandhi stupid? Are the (Burmese) monks stupid? We disagree.

On the reason for marching : Well, lawyers in the past have marched only when there's a serious crisis. At this point of time, we feel that there is a serious crisis of confidence in the judiciary.

On the panel of inquiry : We are surprised by the government's statement yesterday, that they have set up an independent panel to investigate. We feel that it is a positive move, but we still want a royal commission to be established because it would have wider powers than the panel.

Michelle Lee

On Nazri's statement : I will go with what Ambiga said. Marching for justice (does not mean that we are like the opposition)...(but about) standing up for the independence of the judiciary.

On the reason for marching : Ever since the Lingam tape was released, the only response has been silence from the responsible parties. I personally feel that I'm doing this because we want the powers-that-be to know that we won't remain silent.

On the panel of inquiry : I do acknowledge it as a good move but the issue here is not whether the tape is authentic or not, but (about the claims) in the tape. What I want to hear is (that there will be) a revision of the entire judiciary system.

Balvinder Singh

On police stopping the buses : Well we don't know the reason why the buses were stopped. The police may have a justifiable reason to do so, but if they don't have a good reason then it is very telling that the government is afraid when lawyers are (gathering in numbers).

On Nazri's statement : I think the minister is confused. When there is injustice it is our duty to (uphold justice). When there's something wrong with the judiciary, the Bar is the closest body to (it and therefore has to) react.

On the reason for marching : The (claims in the) Lingam tape require lawyers to take some action. Something is wrong with the law system so I think lawyers should be the ones to take the lead. We do this because we want the prime minister to set up an independent royal commission to not only look into the Lingam tape, but also the entire judiciary system.

Usha Kula

On the reason for marching : I think we lawyers have tolerated (the situation) long enough, it's about time the government cleans up the judiciary.

On the inquiry panel : We don't want a cabinet-appointed panel, we want a royal commission to investigate (the claims on) the tape.

We also want an independent judicial commission for the appointment of judges, and it must be transparent.

SPECIAL REPORT: The Lingam tape