The Bar Council had on Thursday lodged another complaint with the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission chief commissioner Abu Kassim Mohamed over another scandal in the legal system, besides the previous one against a retired Court of Appeal judge.

This new complaint is different from the one made by a "Tan Sri" in April which was reported yesterday.

Malaysian Bar president Lim Chee Wee in a statement said he met Abu Kassim on Thursday afternoon regarding the corruption allegations against a retired Court of Appeal judge and potential cases involving others in the legal system.

NONE The relevant documents for two cases (including the new case) were handed over to Abu Kassim (r ight ) for MACC and the chief commissioner assured the Bar that corruption in the legal system will be investigated vigorously, he said.

"I am optimistic and confident that the MACC will use all resources to investigate and if the evidence meets the requisite threshold, prosecution will follow suit.

"I appreciate that MACC cannot act hastily and in leaving no stone unturned, would require time to investigate, " he added.

When asked by Malaysiakini whether the second case had been made public before, Lim replied in the negative and refused to divulge details.

Today's Star reported that both cases, now in the hands of the MACC, were commercial matters involving millions of ringgit. Lim said one is a matter for the courts, the other is not.

Lim, however, declined to disclose their details, citing sensitivity and potential prejudice to the ongoing investigations.

He was also quoted in the daily to be in discussion with Abu Kassim on possible cases against two High Court judges which he also declined to elaborate.

Bar pledges to assist judiciary

Yesterday, lawyer Gobind Singh Deo,was reported to have taken the MACC task, calling for more commitment from the graft busters to stem allegations of judicial corruption, including the one against the recently retired judge.

NONE Lim ( left) vowed that the Bar will reveal to Chief Justice Arifin Zakaria, and the MACC any serious hints of corruption and evidence it becomes aware of, and offer assistance to ensure the final arbiters of justice are not influenced by money, favours or intimidation.

"As the CJ had said corruption requires a giver and a taker and we are aware of serious hints of corruption involving lawyers as givers or facilitators thereof.

"Regardless of whether the evidence constitutes a criminal offence, if there is prima facie evidence for professional misconduct, the Bar Council will take action," he said.

Backing declare assets legislsation

Lim in the statement said the Bar will also support MACC's efforts in fighting corruption including backing legislation similar to Hong Kong's Prevention of Bribery Ordinance which criminalises a public officer with assets or lifestyle disproportionate with the salary or income.

He also called on cabinet members (and their spouses and family members) and judiciary to declare their assets to the MACC to ensure integrity in the administration.

Lim noted Abu Kassim's recommendation on this issue had met with objections from BN politicians but it is a step in the right direction and towards fulfilling his promise made during the Malaysian Law Conference 2010 that he will probe "big fish".

"This would not be the first occasion that a government is implementing such a public disclosure measure as former Selangor menteri besar Abu Hassan Omar had requested BN state assemblypersons to declare their assets directly to ACA (MACC's predecessor) for verification," he said.