KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 ― The High Court today ruled that the Malaysian Bar’s decision to suspend senior lawyer Datuk VK Lingam over a video purportedly of him brokering the appointment of top judges stays.
High Court deputy registrar Norazlin Othman, in reading the decision in court today, also announced that RM5,000 in cost would be borne by VK Lingam, whose real name is Kanagalingam Vellupillai.
“The court has assessed the appellant’s plea, and after going through the plea record, and after hearing the arguments, the court is satisfied that the appellant’s plea cannot be considered, and orders that the decision of the Malaysian Bar disciplinary board stays.
“With that, the court rejects the appellant’s plea, with a RM5,000 cost,” Norazlin said, reading the decision by High Court (Appellate and Special Powers) judge Justice Kamaludin Md Said.
Lingam is seeking a review of the board’s decision.
The disgraced lawyer had filed an originating motion against the Malaysian Bar on December 15, 2015 to challenge the November 6 decision by the board.
Lingam was barred from practising following an allegation of misconduct to conspire or interfere in judicial appointments, an act which was allegedly caught on video.
