I refer to the Malaysiakini report Tempting whistleblower with plastic surgery .

One wonders when will we ever get serious about the level of corruption and patronage in the country for some thing to be done to correct the glaring wrongs. The independent panel probing the Lingam tape scandal is nothing more than a time-wasting show to be held until the high-ranking judicial official in question retires.

The matter is then quietly swept under the carpet after the heat dies down and the pressure reduced. Malaysians being the forgetful lot they are will always be willing to give just about anybody a second chance. The powers-that-be will then effectively forget about the whole fiasco and all will return back to square one. What a recipe! It is the 'Malaysia Boleh' principle.

This term coined by the late political commentator MGG Pillai aptly describes us Malaysians - people who are quick to complain but very late in seeing that justice is done. Deep down inside, Malaysians feel that if they can use money and patronage to get what they want, then others should also be availed the same. Therefore, we have become so used to the 'live and let live' principle that matters like corruption and abuse of power don't matter to us anymore.

We have become immune except for a brave few who dare to tell the truth and shame the devil. To these people, most of our admiration goes but are we ourselves prepared to come out and tell the truth for the sake of the country like one of the independent panel members had asked of us?

We are correct in asking what guarantee is there for the poor whistleblower when the entire arsenal of the government seems intent on covering up the matter as opposed to bringing the corrupted culprits to book. It can always happen that they have a well-trained squad somewhere who will carry out orders no matter what they are.

Again, we see the pressure being put on the whistleblowers as opposed to the individual caught brokering judicial appointments. The government has offered protection for the whistleblower to the extent of even offering the person plastic surgery to hide his identity.

Why must this be the deal? Why can't the government start investigating and probing the people involved in the said telephone conversation instead? Wouldn't that augur well for the government's intention of proving itself that it will not tolerate corruption?

The members of the independent panel would have been carefully chosen but the government could have done better in its choice. There are many who would fit the bill better because of their past experience in dealing with high-level chicanery.

The power to compel witnesses to testify can only come from a royal commission and as long as the government drags its feet on its setting up, the entire international community will have its doubts about the government being sincere in clearing the air about the matter.

If the judiciary has been tainted with charges of corruption and political and business patronage, then we have every reason to be concerned as one would not know what fate has in store for us. It is only a hope that the appointed independent panel decides to do what is right by advising the government to immediately set up a royal commission. Till then, we can only hope.