Two thousand Malaysian lawyers defied police Wednesday to stage a rare protest demanding a probe into allegations that a lawyer fixed judicial appointments with a senior judge.

Supporters, including members of opposition political parties the Democratic Action Party and Keadilan, swelled the crowd by another 200, witnesses said, as the lawyers led the march in the administrative capital of Putrajaya.

The police presence was heavy as the march began from the Palace of Justice, housing Malaysia's highest court, to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's office.

Malaysia's Bar Council handed over a memorandum demanding a royal commission of inquiry into a video clip released a week ago by former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The recording purportedly shows a well-connected lawyer telling a judge over the telephone that he would push his name forward for a senior appointment.

The protest went ahead despite the government's announcement Tuesday that a special independent panel had been set up to investigate the authenticity of the video recording.

Protesters chanted "We want justice" as they marched while holding placards stating "Judiciary has gone to the dogs" and "Judiciary has gone to the drain."

Bar Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan said of the inquiry: "It can only be the first step. They can't force the presentation of witnesses or documents. The royal commission is a better option."

She described the heavy security, which included anti-riot police and a police helicopter, as "an act of intimidation."

Ambiga said the council also submitted a separate memorandum urging the government to establish an independent commission for the appointment of judges.

"We call for an independent judiciary and more transparency in the appointment of judges. We are also asking for a meeting with the prime minister," she said.

"What are we walking for? We are walking for justice. We are walking because we want judicial reforms," Ambiga said as heavy rain fell during the five-hour-long protest.