KUALA LUMPUR (July 26): Lawyer Sangeet Kaur Deo has taken the government and defacto law minister to task over Putrajaya’s delay in setting up a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) to probe allegations of judicial interference, after Wednesday’s decision by the High Court in Kota Kinabalu.

The court had dismissed former Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee’s application to stop the government from setting up the RCI.

Judge Ismail Berahim had ruled that the suit was untenable, as it was based on conjecture and speculation, and so he ordered Yong to pay RM3,000 in costs.

Sangeet, the daughter of the late lawyer-politician Karpal Singh, pointed out that the court had not issued any stay order on the decision.

She said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Liew Vui Kong’s excuse of not forming the RCI on the possibility that Yong may file an appeal within 30 days, is not acceptable.

Speaking to theedgemarkets.com, she said the government had already announced its decision to convene an RCI to look into the allegations of purported judicial misconduct, after Court of Appeal judge Justice Datuk Hamid Sultan Abu Backer claimed abuse and interference in the judiciary.

“There has been several public announcements declaring this, that the RCI will be held,” she said.

“There is no injunction or stay granted by any court to stop the government from proceeding (with the RCI). What is the reason for not convening it up till now?” asked Sangeet, adding there is no reason to wait for the appeal period to pass.

Sangeet was commenting on Liew's statement yesterday that Yong has 30 days to file an appeal against the High Court decision to the Court of Appeal.

"If he does not (file an appeal in 30 days), I guess the government will decide by then," Liew told the media at Parliament. "I think it depends on whether there is an appeal by the unsuccessful applicant in this case."

Sangeet has also filed a suit against the chief justice, following revelations by Justice Hamid Sultan and lawyer Mohd Haniff Khatri Abdulla over possible interference in the matter.

Haniff today filed an application to intervene in Sangeet's suit and wants the Attorney General’s Chambers to strike out portions of Hamid Sultan's explosive affidavit.

Haniff cited personal interests and his position as an advocate and solicitor, to intervene in the matter.

The lawyer in his application seen by theedgemarkets.com said he was among the first to propose the formation of an RCI and the formation of a task force to look into the allegation of a senior judge in the administration of justice,

"The move by the AG’s Chambers to remove a big chunk of Hamid Sultan's affidavit would affect my rights as a proponent to have the RCI, and that the move to strike out the judge's affidavit would further shame the judge's reputation and credibility as an appellate judge," Haniff said.

For this reason, he sought leave to intervene and challenge the chambers’ move to strike out the affidavit.

The lawyer in a separate statement also agreed with Sangeet that the reason provided by Liew in his statement to defer the RCI while awaiting Yong's decision to appeal is utterly rubbish.

“The reason given by the minister is illogical and rubbish. A right to appeal would not diminish the administration until the appeal process is exhausted,” he said.