KUALA LUMPUR , MALAYSIA - A ROYAL commission into alleged judicial corruption in Malaysia began Monday with panel members rejecting calls to stand down because of alleged conflicts of interest.

The inquiry is probing a video released by former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim last September, which purportedly showed a well-connected lawyer telling a top judge that he would put him forward for a senior appointment.

Lawyers acting for Mr Anwar as well as civil society groups said that three of the five panel members should step aside because of their links with some of the 17 witnesses due to appear in front of the two-week commission.

Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is a witness at the hearing, is honorary president of the foundation while businessman Vincent Tan, another witness, is also a trustee.

Lawyer Azhar Azizan Arun, who is representing rights groups, told the commission that the link with Haider - a former chief judge - was 'unfortunate'.

'There might be a likelihood of apprehension or bias,' he said.

But Mr Haidar rejected the call saying: 'I don't see any grounds to recuse myself.'

Mr Puravalen also called on former chief judge of Sabah and Sarawak - Malaysia's eastern states on Borneo island - Steve Shim to step down as his name was mentioned in the tape and he could be called as a witness.

The lawyers also said former solicitor-general Zaitun Zawiyah Puteh should not sit on the panel because of her role in an earlier case involving Mr Anwar.

Both Shim and Zaitun refused to stand aside but said they would do so if they found themselves unable to carry out their work.

Mr Anwar was heir apparent to former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad until his sacking in 1998, when he was hit with sodomy and corruption charges that landed him in jail for six years.

Mr Anwar is expected to appear before the hearing next Tuesday, according to an aide.

The name of the person who had filmed the clip has been kept secret, but businessman Loh Mui Foh, 57, has admitted being present when it was filmed and agreed to be a witness at the hearing, his lawyer said.

Mr Loh said his son, Mr Gwo Burne, 27, had filmed the conversation and was now working in Shanghai but was prepared to travel to Malaysia to give evidence.

The commission panel consists of retired judges and rights leaders who will decide on the clip's authenticity and if there is any evidence of wrongdoing.

Lawyers held a rare public protest in September to dismiss an initial probe into the affair as inadequate before Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi finally agreed to set up a full investigation in November. -- AFP