The royal commission of inquiry, formed to investigate the VK Lingam video clip, will not venture into issues raised by the 1988 judicial crisis.

Commission chairperson Haidar Mohamed Noor today confirmed that the terms of reference restrict the inquiry to controversies involving the video clip.

“This is purely an extension of what the (three-member) panel’s investigation , (but) with more terms of reference,” he told reporters after chairing the first meeting at the Jalan Duta court complex this morning.

Critics, including the Bar Council, have claimed that the judiciary has lost its independence since the sacking of then Lord President Salleh Abas in 1988.

That year, a Judicial Tribunal set up by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad found Salleh and two other Supreme Court judges guilty of judicial misconduct. They were then sacked.

At the time, Haidar was the Supreme Court chief registrar who allegedly locked the doors of the Supreme Court to prevent the court from issuing an injunction to stop the Judicial Tribunal from proceeding with the hearing.

On criticism that he is unfit to chair the commission because of the 1988 incident, Haidar said he is not bothered by it and that his conscience is clear.

“Why (are they criticising me)? Over Salleh Abbas? That has got nothing to do (with this commission). (If) they are questioning my integrity, then they have to show evidence,” he said.

Legal powers

Haidar also said the commission will not probe the allegations of judicial corruption by Lingam’s estranged brother V Thirunama Karasu, as this is not spelt out in the terms of reference.

“But if he can provide relevant evidence, based on the terms of reference, it’s up to him (to come forward),” he added.

He said the commission has not received a full copy of the Lingam tape and urged those with the footage to submit a copy to the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA).

Previously, the three-member panel headed by Haidar had probed an eight-minute version of the footage released by PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim on Sept 19. Last week, Anwar released the remaining six minutes of the clip.

“I hope there is no more, (other than) the 14 minutes,” quipped Haidar.

The commission will hold its hearings between Jan 14 and 25, and a list of witnesses will be drawn up by senior deputy public prosecutors - ACA prosecution chief Nordin Hassan and Azmi Ariffin, the commercial crime chief in the Attorney-General's Chambers.

Commissioners will scrutinise the list before issuing subpoenas to the witnesses. Members of the public who wish to give evidence can also contact the commission secretariat.

“I hope members of the public will come forward, especially the person who made the (video) recording. He should help us and make our work easier,” said Haidar.

“Now that the commission is established under the law, he should not be unduly worried in coming forward. We have legal powers, not like before.”

Haidar said the commission aims to prepare their report by March 11 deadline set by the government, but may seek an extension if necessary.