KUCHING: Advocates Association of Sarawak (AAS) will reveal its stand and the next course of action in regard to the fate of two prominent lawyers who were said to be involved in corruption over land deals in Sarawak within the next 48 hours.

The association yesterday convened an impromptu video conferencing with its counterparts here, in Miri, Bintulu and Sibu to discuss the matter following the circulation of a YouTube video featuring an interview by an environmental group, Global Witness.

The video, said to have been captured, under a covert operation, featured a Caucasian man posing as an investor to buy land in the state from Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud’s cousins which subsequently revealed the transaction procedures.

The video also featured the two lawyers elaborating on the transaction process.

The video conferencing, attended by AAS’ executive committee members and chaired by its president Khairil Azmi Mohd Hasbie, was held around 3pm.

The conferencing lasted about an hour and the half, after which Khairil told pressmen that the association had made its decision on the matter.

“The decision has been made but I cannot reveal the decision yet. Once action has been taken only then we will let the press know accordingly,” he said.

When prodded further on what action would be taken, he said he could not reveal it just yet.

It is learnt that the two lawyers are likely to be referred to an Inquiry Committee that is akin to a Disciplinary Committee. Khairil, however, declined to confirm.

Later, AAS secretary Sarbjit Singh told pressmen that the association and the Inquiry Committee were two different bodies. He said the association was not empowered to take action against its members and could only refer matters to the Inquiry Committee if there was a need to.

“AAS does not control the Inquiry Committee. The (panel of judges) committee are directly appointed by the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak (Tan Sri Richard Malanjum).

“They (Inquiry Committees) are empowered under the Ordinance so they can take action ... we, on the other hand, are only empowered to refer matters to them,” he explained.

Pressed further, Sarbjit was, however, non-committal whether the two lawyers would be referred to the committee, replying: “We do not know yet”.

• Kulim to take New Britain Palm Oil Ltd private?
• Nusa Gapurna rejects PKNS offer to up stake in PJ Sentral
• AirAsia wants no further delays in opening of new low-cost terminal KLIA2
• AirAsia signs RM27.5bil engine deal
• AirAsia X shares worth up to RM1.66 each
• Use of psychometrics assessment for employees can be controversial
• Low bids for Hwang-DBS due to the banking group’s poor Q3 results
• Reality check on Asean Economic Community, is it rather ambitious?
• Sumatec shareholders to vote on Kazakhstan oil and gas asset buy
• Genting’s Aussie move a surprise
• 3 parties said to be in talks to take over Luster
• MISC to consolidate ops by strengthen footing by re-balancing portfolio and income mix
• Malaysian market closes lower
• Pos Malaysia proposes 9.5 sen final dividend
• Stability boost for UEM Sunrise project in Iskandar

• Singapore smog reaches record high (Updated)
• India monsoon floods leave 138 dead
• Turkey's 'silent man' vigils go on as protests fizzle out
• French floods claim first victim, Lourdes remains closed
• Thousands evacuated after blasts at Russian arms depot
• Bieber off hook after car hits photographer
• Mexico arrests man on FBI's top 10 Most Wanted list
• Disabled woman, US child held captive with snakes
• World's largest all-solar-powered boat shines in NYC
• Samoan airline introduces 'XL' class
• West Africa has world's worst piracy rate
• Congolese teacher admits killing elephants for ivory: WWF
• NASA enlists public in hunt for major asteroids

• Paul Revington is glad to be back to train the Malaysian team
• Heavy task on Faizal’s shoulders
• Singapore Open: Chong Wei Feng fights to survive
• Rachel owes her rich vein of form to change in technique
• Future looks gloomy for men’s squash when Beng Hee calls it a day
• Gavin Green confident he can take on title-holders this weekend
• Zhang switches focus on developing golf in China
• Thaworn hopes to find his ‘A’ game in Selangor Masters
• Khairy: RM8mil to be forked out for Sukma due to lack of sponsorship
• A chance for local cyclists to shine
• Rahul survives weekend of harsh hurdles in Norfolk
• MGF set wheels in motion to unearth young talents
• Steady as Jie goes
• Ferrer loses title after opening round loss
• Heat edge Spurs in overtime to force Game 7 in NBA Finals

• Please wait.

• Ex-judge calls for rebranding of vernacular schools
• Want a gun? Just print it out
• Inter-Pacific Research values AirAsia X at RM1.66
• Boy nabbed for buying air rifles
• Penang freak storm: Video clip of lightning arrester collapse uploaded on YouTube
• Perodua expects more competitive auto business environment
• AIA and Public Bank offer new insurance plans
• Nazir Razak: Rising likelihood of major reversal of hot money out from Asia
• MAHB sets May 2, 2014 as KLIA2 revised opening date
• Fitch Affirms Genting and Genting Singapore at 'A-'/ Stable