In the wake of the uproar over the exposure of the Lingam tape and the government's mute response to it, PKR has appealed to the king to get to the bottom of the scandal.

The party has submitted a letter today, requesting Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin to set up a Royal Commission to investigate possible breach of conduct exhibited in the Lingam tape.

"We come here to seek the goodwill of the king to look into the matters of the judiciary and the separation of powers," said PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail after submitting the letter at Istana Negara.

Accompanying her in submitting the letter early this morning were party secretary-general Khalid Ibrahim, youth chief Shamsul Iskandar and information chief Tian Chua. The letter was received by administrative officer Hamidi Abu Bakar.

Appeal to the king

"The citizens of Malaysia wants the king to do something about the problems facing the judiciary since the sacking of (former Lord President) Tun Salleh Abbas (in 1988). It is of ultimate importance to our country as its reputation, credibility and integrity is at stake," said Wan Azizah, who is also Permatang Pauh MP.

PKR de facto leader released a video-recorded telephone conversation between prominent lawyer VK Lingam and another person widely believed to be Chief Justice Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim ( photo at left ).

Lingam spoke extensively on how he would assist in the appointment of Ahmad Fairuz, then Court of Appeal president, through the help of well-connected tycoon Vincent Tan and Umno strongman Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

On Tuesday, the government announced that an independent panel would investigate the authenticity of the tape.

The following day, some 2,000 lawyers participated in a march in Putrajaya before submitting a memorandum to the Prime Minister's Department requesting for a Royal Commission to investigate possible breach of conduct and corruption exhibited in the video.

Along with the Bar Council, PKR also wants a Royal Commission to be created.

Speaking to reporters today, Wan Azizah said that only through a Royal Commission that reports directly to the king where witnesses can be called on and protected could restore public confidence in the judiciary.

Fair and just role

The King can appoint a Royal Commission under the Commissions of Enquiry Act, 1950.

In the letter, Wan Azizah appealed the king to intervene in the scandal.

"Your humble servant (patik) is willing to have audience with your Highness to discuss the matter further," the letter read.

"Under the current climate, where the dignity of the judiciary and government faces further deterioration, Your Highness can play a fair and just role to address such problems for the betterment of all Malaysians.

"The power to save the dignity of the country is in the hands of your highness," it continued.

The letter further stated that "lot of public concern has been raised" since the sacking of Tun Salleh Abas. It cited a statement by former Lord President Chief Justice Tun Mohammed Suffian in 2000 that "he would not dare stand trial before a judge even if he was innocent."

The letter further cited former King and former Chief Justice Raja Azlan Shah's statement in 2004 that public confidence in the judiciary has eroded and that the role of the royalty has been reduced to 'mere procedure'.

PKR cited what the party felt were questionable judgements over cases involving Anwar's sodomy charges, former Bukit Bintang MP Wee Chee Keong and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

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