Bar Council presses on with its Lingam action

New Straits Times (used by permission)
By V. Anbalagan

KUALA LUMPUR: The Bar Council expressed disappointment that there would be no further development on the Lingam tape.

Its chairman Ragunath Kesavan said there was high expectation following the findings of the Royal Commission of Inquiry.

"We had expected some positive development after taking into consideration the nature of the complaints and the findings of the commission.

On investigations against former chief justice Tun Mohd Eusoff Chin's New Zealand trip that came to a halt as a key witness could not be located, Ragunath said the authorities should have sought public assistance.

"We do not know who the authorities were looking for," he said.

After the commission inquiry early last year, lawyers representing the council were allowed to participate in the proceedings which included questioning witnesses.

It also provided submissions to assist the five-man commission to come to conclusions on the terms of reference and recommendations.

After the report was released by the commission, the Bar Council instituted its own action against Lingam for professional misconduct.

The hearing, which is on going, is before the Advocates and Solicitors' Disciplinary Board.

"The proceedings against Lingam will continue despite the Attorney-General Chamber's decision not to institute criminal charges against him," Ragunath said.

Lingam, meanwhile, declined to comment on this latest development.