The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) probe on VK Lingam for allegedly writing judgments for certain court cases is still ongoing.

However, the commission has cleared Lingam of any wrongdoing involving a holiday trip with former chief justice Eusoff Chin and allegations of fixing judicial appointments.

eusoff chin vk lingam new zealand trip photos 240108 cottageThis was revealed by MACC Operation Evaluations Panel President Dr Hadenan Abdul Jalil after the panel's first meeting for 2010 in Kuala Lumpur today.

On the holiday trip, Hadenan said MACC had found proof that Eusoff paid for his own trip with his credit card contrary to allegations that Lingam footed the bill.

Hadenan was referring to the controversial 1994 Christmas holiday trip taken by Lingam and Eusoff's family to New Zealand.

The apparent cozy ties between the duo caused an uproar because Eusoff was then the serving chief justice.

On allegations that Lingam played a role in fixing judicial appointments, Hadenan said that there was no concrete proof yet to back up these claims.

"Lingam might have been merely boasting in the infamous telephone conversation where he spoke of judicial appointments,” said Hadenan.

MACC gets thumbs-up

Meanwhile, Hadenan said the panel has given MACC the thumbs up over its performance for 2009 for solving 635 cases out of 939 reports lodged.

"MACC had managed to fulfill its policy of solving 70 percent of its cases within one year," he said.

Hadenan also announced that a special operation unit to probe 'high profile cases' would be established once it is approved by the Public Services Department.

"This will ensure that cases of high public interest, involving 'high-flyers', will be dealt with swiftly," he said.

He said the new unit has a six-month deadline to complete investigations.