PAS and PKR youth wings today called on the people to salvage the judicial system from the 'rot' brought on by corruption and political interference.

Citing the ' walk for justice' by 2,000 lawyers on Wednesday, the youth leaders called on ordinary Malaysians to act in order to arrest the rot before it spreads to other parts of society.

"While we are immersed in our religious worship, we cannot ignore what is happening around us, the corruption around us," PAS treasurer Dr Hatta Ramli told a gathering of about 100 people after Friday prayers at the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur.

"The rot has started. We hope the people will not let it continue to spread throughout the rest of society," he added.

The brief gathering was jointly-organised by PAS Youth led by its chief Salahuddin Ayub and PKR Youth leader Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin.

It comes on the heels of a rare demonstration of protest by about 2,000 lawyers two days ago following the exposure of a video clip by PKR showing senior lawyer VK Lingam in a phone conversation brokering the appointment of judges.

Clear evidence now

Although the person at the other end of the phone line was not seen in the clip, the context of the conversation indicated that it was the present Chief Justice Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim.

In his remarks today, PKR Youth vice-chief Amiruddin Shari said if people had doubted claims that court decisions are influenced by political interests, clear evidence to settle the uncertainties are now at hand.

"All these years, they (the ruling government) have asked, 'Where's the proof? Where's the proof? Where's the proof?' Well, now the proof has come out very clearly!" said Amiruddin.

He also said that if Malaysians did not agitate for change, future generations will reap the consequences of the indifference.

"If we do not press on this problem now, this nation will fall," said Amiruddin.

PKR Youth information chief Lau Tek Hai in his speech criticised Deputy Premier Najib Razak.

Najib had been reported to have said that people should not question the impartiality of the figures appointed to the three-member panel tasked with investigating the authenticity of the Lingam tape.

"Najib has warned (people) not to politicise the issue (of the appointments). The truth is, who are the ones who have used the judiciary as a tool for political ends?!" questioned Lau.

Shamsul also criticised the appointment of the panel, not least because of the perceived partiality of its members.

He also noted that the panel is answerable to the Cabinet unlike an independent royal commission which would come under Parliament.

"How can the executive branch of this government (continue to) meddle in the judiciary?" he said.

'Join us in this struggle'

Sallahuddin ( left ) who is also Kubang Kerian MP reiterated the call for a royal commission with full power to investigate and disclose its findings on the controversy raised by the Lingam tape.

"We hope action can be taken for (attaining) justice by setting up a royal commission of inquiry, not this fang-less investigation panel that has been set up. The people demand that a royal commission be set up to tackle the issue, to investigate... and to drag (those guilty) to court."

He also warned that the bane of corruption in the judiciary will fall primarily on ordinary people as its 'victims' unless they pressed the government for real reform.

"People have to join us in this struggle. People have to be together with us to bring down those who have acted irresponsibly," said Salahuddin.

At a press conference later, Shamsul added to his scepticism of panel members Haidar Mohd Noor and Mahadev Shanker, both former senior judges, due to their links to the former and present chief justices Eusoff Chin and Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim.

Both Chin and Ahmad Fairuz have been implicated by the Lingam tape.

Shamsul and Salahuddin also questioned the appointment of the third panel member, social activist Lee Lam Thye, as lacking the legal qualifications to investigate the issue.