Written Submissions Expected By Feb 25

KUALA LUMPUR: After 17 days and 21 witnesses, the Royal Commission of Inquiry has reached the final stage in its quest to ascertain the authenticity of the controversial Lingam video clip.

All that remains now are the written submissions from the deputy public prosecutors, Bar Council and lawyers representing all 21 witnesses.

The written submissions are expected by Feb 25 after which the five-man commission will submit its findings, with recommendations, to the king on March 11.

There is, however, a provision for an extension if the need arises. This extension is for the report and not for gathering evidence from more witnesses.

In another development yesterday, a consultant psychiatrist said he could not arrive at a clear conclusion whether V. Thirunama Karasu was suffering from personality disorder.

Tan Sri Dr M. Mahadevan said this in a statutory declaration made to the commission on the mental health of Thirunama, who is a brother of Datuk V.K. Lingam.

He said he initially made a provisional diagnosis and concluded that Thirunama was suffering from a personality disorder. But at the end of the examination, the psychiatrist could not reach a conclusive decision.

Mahadevan, the 21st witness, was also asked by Lingam’s counsel, R. Thayalan, to explain the psychiatric condition of a person who wrote good and bad qualities of another person.

(In earlier testimony, it was heard that Thirunama had written a 19-page statement highlighting the positive and negative aspects of Lingam).

Commission member Datuk Mahadev Shankar cut in and said Dr Mahadevan’s report was neutral. “The doctor has also put up a good report about the patient.”

Thayalan: Does hallucination amount to character assassination?

Dr Mahadevan: Generally, yes.

Thayalan: Can a layman, listening to a person suffering from a mental illness, come to a conclusion the person is mad?

Dr Mahadevan: It depends.

Mahadev then cut in with: What’s written in the report may not give the true picture of this patient?

Dr Mahadevan: Yes, it is so.

Counsel Wee Choo Keong, appearing for Thirunama, attempted to question the witness on his relationship with Lingam but commission member Tan Sri Steve Shim Lip Kiong advised the lawyer to restrain himself.

Wee proceeded to ask some medical-related questions and Haidar commented that the lawyer did not seem to understand what Shim had just said.

“Are you here to show your client that you are doing some work?”

Mahadev said that the doctor had said Thirunama was not mad and proceeded to ask the psychiatrist whether one could pretend to be suicidal.

Dr Mahadevan: Yes.

Mahadev: Who paid the medical bill for treating Thirumana?

Dr Mahadevan: There was no charge.

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