The grainy eight-minute video footage was taken in 2002 at senior lawyer VK Lingam's Kelana Jaya house. At that time, Mohamed Dzaiddin Abdullah was chief justice.
Appointed in 2000, he was seen as a fresh break from his two previous predecessors - Mohd Eusoff Chin (1994-2000) and Abdul Hamid Omar (1988-1994).
Dzaiddin was to retire in 2003, and the video showed Lingam expressing concerned that the outgoing CJ was moving his 'men' into top judiciary posts.
The conversation revolved around the urgent need to get Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim, then chief judge of Malaya - the judiciary's No 3 - appointed as Court of Appeal president (No 2) and then chief justice (No 1).
There was also the plan to get former attorney-general Mokhtar Abdullah, who was then a Federal Court judge, to replace Ahmad Fairuz as No 3.
To do that, Lingam had roped in tycoon Vincent Tan, a close crony of then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, a key minister in PM's Department.
They were to talk to Mahathir on the appointment of judges.
Postscript
Ahmad Fairuz was appointed Court of Appeal president in December 2002 - months after the telephone conversation.
Dzaiddin stepped down as CJ in 2003 and he was replaced by Ahmad Fairuz.
Mokhtar, however, could not take the No 3 post as he was in coma after suffering from a fall in August 2002.
He died in 2003. Ahmad Fairuz' term as CJ will end in October 2007.
On Sept 19, Malaysiakini broke the story on the Lingam tape with the following report:
- Video links CJ to 'judicial fixing' scandal
- Watch the 8-minute video here (Part 1)
- Transcript of Part 1
- Watch Part 2 of Lingam tape l 30 secs
- Transcript of Part 2
- Watch Part 3 of Lingam tape l 6 mins
- Transcript - Part 3
- Fact-finding into Lingam tape
- Who is VK Lingam?
Interview with Lingam's brother
Brother vs Brother
The 'mad' patient who wasn't
It's my duty to expose the rot
Interview with video-clip man Loh Mui Fah
Lingam tape: Businessman goes public
Video-clip man worries about his safety
Part 1: Q&A: My son took the Lingam tape
Part 2: Q&A: ACA forced me out into the open
Malaysiakini Newsmaker of 2007
And the newsmaker of 2007 is...
Below are our reports as the scandal unfolds (beginning with the latest):
May 20
View royal commission report online
Feb 15 - Final day, Day 17
Recusal applications rejected
Ex-driver: Lingam rude and aggressive
Feb 13 - Day 16
Lingam inquiry adjourned to Friday
ACA goes down the drain
Feb 12 - Day 15
Explosive revelations against Lingam
Ex-CJ wants commissioner disqualified
Feb 5 - Day 14
'Close relatives' Haidar-Fairuz under spotlight
Feb 4 - Day 13
Lingam tape: More judges implicated
'I am 110 percent not mad'
Thirunama: I warned Lingam to be careful
Admissible parts of his witness statement
Two more witnesses for Lingam inquiry
Jan 31
Rajendram: My brother is of sound mind
Jan 30 - Day 12
Part 3 of clip rejected as evidence
ACA officer rapped for sloppy work
Jan 29 - Day 11
Dzaiddin: I dislike Eusoff
Lazar: Lingam out to discredit me
Evasive Ahmad Fairuz grilled at inquiry
'Unseen hand' manipulating inquiry
Jan 28 - Day 10
Lingam video - another sequel
Eusoff: It's a very big lie
Ahmad Fairuz: Lingam tape a 'slander'
Lingam stuns court with allegation
Jan 25 - Day 9
Day 9: Closed-door hearing
Lingam challenges clip authenticity
Jan 24 - Day 8
Lingam: I was 'bullshitting and bragging'
Q&A: 'I didn't say it was not me'
Tape scandal: Holiday evidence relevant
Q&A: It was all a coincidence
PHOTO GALLERY: Their NZ holiday
Jan 23
Look who's 'talking rubbish' now
Jan 22 - Day 7
Royal commission put 'on trial'
Jan 21 - Day 6
Star witness: It wasn't Ahmad Fairuz
Q&A: 'It looks like me, it sounds like me'
Lingam wants NZ holiday details expunged
Video-maker confirms recording clip
Jan 19
Dr M & Eusoff: Competing in selective amnesia?
Jan 18 - Day 5
Ties with Lingam not 'extremely' close
Chances 'slim' for Lingam's brother to testify
Dr M's 'selective memory' mocked
Jan 17 - Day 4
Dr M: I don't have to explain why
Adnan: Lingam either mad or drunk
Mahathir says Lingam is a new buddy
Lingam tape: Dr M takes the stand
Anwar offers two 'secret' witnesses
Jan 16 - Day 3
Letters on judges grab spotlight
ACA: Lingam forgot phone numbers
Mahathir's testimony put off to tomorrow
Jan 15 - Day 2
Digital expert: Lingam tape authentic
Loh: My son will testify
Mahathir to be quizzed tomorrow
Royal panel grills ACA officer over omission
Jan 14 - Day 1
Inquiry kicks off with conflict of interest claims
ACA: It's Lingam's living room
Lingam tape inquiry begins today
Jan 8
Lingam tape: Call these witnesses, royal panel told
Jan 3
Lingam tape: Royal panel to call 16
Dec 29
Internet help bring Lingam tape scandal to surface
Dec 22
ACA calls on Dr M over judiciary scandal
Dec 18
Royal panel 'won't discuss' 1988 judicial crisis
Dec 17
Royal commission motion shot down
Dec 14
Anwar reveals full video, says he has more evidence
Dec 13
Lingam tape royal panel: Lawyers not pleased
Dec 12
Haidar to head royal panel on Lingam tape
Royal commission 'a great letdown'
Dec 6
Lingam tape: Gov't awaits royal nod for commission members
Dec 3
Hakam: Seek international help for royal commission
Nov 23
It's Lingam in video clip, claims brother
Nov 22
Judges, back us on judicial reform
Wee: ACA never cleared Lingam
Nov 21
Lingam gives evidence on brother's insanity
Embattled lawyer quizzed by ACA
Pressure mounts on gov't over royal commission
Nov 20
Lingam's brother: I am not mad!
Kit Siang's dream-team for royal commission
Nov 19
Lingam: I'll cooperate with royal commission
My brother not of sound mind: Lingam
Royal commission must 'go beyond Lingam tape'
Nov 18
More allegations of judicial graft emerge
Empower royal panel with 'widest terms of reference'
Nov 17
Govt must 're-interfere' to repair damage
Anwar ready to release full video soon
Nov 16
PM announces royal commission
Nov 15
Panel wants royal commission on Lingam tape
'Consult Anwar, Bar Council on royal commission'
Kit Siang: Why another three-member panel?
Nov 14
Lingam tape: Cabinet yet to decide, says Nazri
Nov 8
Anwar reveals more footage of Lingam tape
Nov 6
Video part II: It was Fairuz, says Kit Siang
Inquiry panel hands over reports
Nov 5
Panel to submit 'individual' reports
Nov 3
Fairuz gone, but crisis remains
Nov 2
Lawyers' ayes to non-extension of Fairuz' term
Nov 1
Abdul Hamid named acting chief justice
Oct 31
Be ready to boycott judiciary, lawyers told
Oct 30
PM rebukes lawyers over protest
Bar unfazed by PM's comments
Nazri grilled over Lingam tape
Oct 29
Lingam tape: Probe ends, wait begins for outcome
Protesters hand over memo to panel
Oct 27
'Video probe complete, authenticity questionable'
Lingam tape to be 'hot topic' in law confab
Oct 26
Anwar challenges ACA notice in court
ACA: He should come to our office
PKR Youth to King: Don't give in
Palace accepts petition with 5,036 signatures
Suaram slams Speaker over urgent motion
Oct 25
ACA no show, Anwar makes U-turn
Zaid: Be serious, form royal commission
House speaker throws out Lingam tape motion
CJ, Tengku Adnan quizzed by ACA
Lingam tape: Anwar, don't blink
Oct 24
Nov 22 - Bar Council's EGM is on
Anwar's answer: No way, ACA!
Judicial petition to be sent to king tomorrow
Online petition 'sends clear message' to gov't
It's clear - no Witness Protection Bill tabled
Oct 23
Police return empty-handed from Bar
Lingam tape: Speaker bends rules for PKR motion
ACA repeats demand for original recording
Oct 22
Give us full video or face arrest, Anwar told
Lawyers press on for a royal commission
'Gov't lost the plot on Lingam tape'
Oct 20
ACA chief: Video clip is inadmissible evidence
Lim: CJ using Nazri as tool to mislead Parliament
Oct 19
Wee to Suhakam: Probe conduct of quartet
Why are we still mulling an extension for CJ?
Whistleblower is in Lingam tape II
Oct 18
A two-month extension for Ahmad Fairuz?
Reject CJ's bid for extension
Whistleblower is in Lingam tape II
Oct 17
Panel under fire for postponing meeting
UN pressure sought over judicial rot
Oct 16
We, too, believe the tape is genuine
Oct 15
Stay focused on restoring judiciary, Nazri told
Oct 12
Nazri: They're all crazy lawyers
Q&A: I can't interfere, I am the executive
Oct 11
Deadline ends - PKR duo to protect source
Ex-ACA whistleblower: Go after Lingam
Oct 10
Whistleblowers out in the cold
Deadline for PKR duo expires tomorrow
All quiet on ACA front
Oct 9
Nazri admits error, blames press officer
Oct 8
Mr Nazri, what witness protection bill?
Sivarasa: You're wrong, minister
Tempting whistleblower with plastic surgery
Oct 7
Klip video: K'jaan akan siasat secara menyeluruh, kata PM
Oct 6
Gerakan tells gov't: Consider royal commission
Lawyer Lingam, tycoon Tan quizzed by ACA
Target those in the video, not whistleblowers
Oct 5
ACA officials visit Anwar's office
Whistleblowers 'trade off' for royal commission
ACA sniffing along the wrong trail
If Lingam was the source, will he be probed?
Oct 4
Lingam tape: Name source or face jail
Will Tengku Adnan step up?
Fact-finding into Lingam tape
Yet another reason why Haidar should quit
Oct 3
Haidar: We have no power
Q&A: Don't throw stones at us
Lingam tape: Protest at panel's first meeting
ACA to quiz Anwar on Friday
ACA bosses tightlipped on Lingam
Will the Haidar inquiry be a sham?
Perhaps Nazri should go back to law school
Oct 2
Anwar's aide: Two whistleblowers involved
Who is VK Lingam?
O Lingam, where art thou?
Royal commission or no-confidence motion
Oct 1
'If I don't accept, I'll be sacked'
Former MP to file for judicial review
Bar: It's about justice, not politics
Anwar: Stopped from stemming judicial rot
No pressing need for royal commission: Khairy
Sept 29
CJ's name mentioned in Lingam tape Pt 2
Sept 28
Is the tape authentic? That's the panel's ONLY job
Video clip: Bar EGM put off
Judiciary scandal: PKR wants king to step in
Youth wings: Save our judiciary
Sept 27
Haidar's appointment to panel objected
Media directed to downplay march for justice
'What crisis? I don't see any'
Nazri's 'no crisis' claims refuted
PKR to ACA: Check Lingam's phone records
Sept 26
Long walk for justice for 2,000 lawyers
Protesters barred from entering Putrajaya
Bar United in their demand
Ambiga: We'll give inquiry panel a chance
Sept 25
Independent panel to probe Lingam tape
'It's unacceptable, we want royal commission'
Tengku Adnan: I'm no judicial fixer
Shahrir: Judicial hangover from 1988 crisis
Q&A: 'No strong reasons to sack Salleh'
Sept 24
Nazri: Because I'm his minister
Minister's claim full of holes
Sept 23
CJ denied talking to Lingam: Nazri
Sept 22
Bar Council to press for royal commission
TI: Video clip cries out for explanations
Sept 21
PM: No need for royal commission
A two-para 'No comment' from Ahmad Fairuz
Kit Siang: It's Fairuz at the other end
Named lawyers clueless over Lingam tape
Lingam tape: Shame, shame, shame
Najib: Gov't to verify authenticity of clip
Boycott the Chief Justice, lawyers urged
Poison-pen letter against CJ finally surfaces
Sept 20
Clamour for CJ to step down
Review all cases involving 'friendly' judges
Mainstream papers play down expose
Pita Lingam: PKR buat laporan kepada BPR
Unite to tackle judicial rot, youth groups told
Sept 19
Bar Council 'appalled', calls emergency meeting
Anwar's name brought up by Lingam
VIDEOS
The Lingam tape: Anwar's press conference l 7 min
The day after: Clamour for CJ to step down l 3 min
Tunku Abdul Aziz, Param on the Lingam tape l 3 min
The Lingam tape: Clamour for CJ to step down l 3 min
Shahrir: Judicial hangover from 1988 crisis l 8 min
Bar United in demand for justice l 7 min
Bus ride to justice l 7 min
Police cause longer walk for lawyers l 7 min
A soaked Azmi Sharom is jubilant with turnout l 4 min
What's the evidential authenticity of the VK Lingam video? l 2 min
PKR asks King for royal commission l 2 min
Youth wings call for independent inquiry l 2 min
Lingam tape: Protest at panel's first meeting l 7 min
Mahadev Shankar: The power of the powerless l 9 min
Lingam tape: Name source or face jail l 3 min
Will Tengku Adnan step up? l 1 min
Gerakan tells gov't: Consider royal commission l 9 min
Nazri Aziz: There's no judicial crisis l 6 min
Anwar Ibrahim ordered to hand in full Lingam clip l 4 min
Cops fail to obtain statements from Bar Council l 3 min
Deadline ends: ACA officers no show l 4 min
The walk is over, now it's time to talk l 4 min
PKR Youth to King: Don't give in l 3 min
Panel to submit 'individual' reports l 1 min
Anwar reveals more footage of Lingam tape l 5 min
Police report on VK Lingam by estranged brother l 9 min
Salleh Abas: Gov't has a duty to repair damage l 36 min
Lingam gives evidence on brother's insanity l 9 min
PHOTO GALLERY
Long walk for justice
LETTERS
Lingam tape: Will lawyers be even bothered? l Amer Hamzah Arshad
The Chief (In)Justice l Fahri Azzat
A judicial commission now more than ever l Jeffrey
Our worst fears confirmed l Steve Oh
Media diverting attention l Alex Tan Ken Seng
Judicial blasphemy of the highest order l JBT
Royal commission needed l Dr Hsu Dar Ren
Judiciary has gone to the dogs l Pak Pandir Baru
Why is the Chief Justice whispering to Nazri? l P Ramakrishnan
Serve the master well and thy shall be rewarded l Richard Teo
Time to come together and change things l Truly Malaysian
The Chief Justice's denial l Azzat Kamaludin
Ball now at CJ's feet l NAN
Lingam tape a major embarrassment for gov't l Abang Hamzah
Pak Lah's biggest test l Adcin
Royal commission not up to PM l Thai EngLang
Corrupt big fish swimming about freely l Peter Ooi
Sack the law minister l Bath Cliath
Nazri should await decision l Sadirah K
A mere 'panel' won't do them justice l JTB|
Kudos to the lawyers l Dr Chris Anthony
Era of decadence l Zi-zenn
Yes, I made a difference today l Kow Sai
Nazri should quit gracefully l Mohd Kamal Abdullah
Nazri puts his foot in his mouth again l CKY
We've talked the walk, let's now walk the talk l Mohan Sankaran
Rebuttal to minister in charge of chief justice l Gerard Lourdesamy
Lingam tape: Formation of 'no power' panel dubious l Amer Hamzah Arshad
Where are the technical experts? l Peter Ooi
Why is there reluctance to interview Lingam? l Adcin
Again heat is on the whistleblowers, not culprits l Hamdan Ibrahim
Lingam tape: Will the gov't be bold enough? l Dr Chris Anthony
'Independent' panel a mere eye-wash l Krishnad
Chief Justice would have retired by then l Hamdan Ibrahim
Formation of panel raises more questions l Sukhdave
Lincoln's Inn jacket does not the man make l JBT
Let's do an Osama on Lingam tape l Peter Ooi
Nazri, don't hide behind secretary's skirt l P Ramakrishnan
Believe me, the Lingam tape is genuine l Richard Teo
Nazri, lawyers' motives don't matter l Wong Fook Meng
Lam Thye, is the ferry photo authentic? l AB Sulaiman
When we speak the truth, they want to jail us l Dr Chris Anthony
Gov't in a fix over judiciary 'fix-it' scandal l Pak Pandir Baru
Open letter to CJ Ahmad Fairuz l Lim Kit Siang
ACA a tool of the government l Truly Malaysian
ACA, copies are as good as the originals l Digitalized Man
Even Parliament refuses to debate Lingam tape l Peter Ooi
Ahmad Fairuz, do us a favour, go quietly l P Ramakrishnan
Nazri, which planet do you live on? l Sarita Sharma
Nazri, Pak Lah in state of denial l SF Lim
What if the tape is about a bomb plot? l Peter Ooi
What if Eusoff, Hamid sit on royal commission? l Jeffery
OPINIONS
Time to cleanse our judiciary l Kim Quek
Will we miss the boat again? l Steven Gan
Voice of the people l Helen Ang
Judiciary in need of radical reform l Anwar Ibrahim
Video clip lands judiciary in the dock l Baradan Kuppusamy
Breakdown of law and order l Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad
Deal with the rot, not the tape l M Bakri Musa
Let's do the 'lawyer walk' l Azly Rahman
Here's the crisis, Prime Minister! l KJ John
Lingam tape: Najib's panel unacceptable l Kim Quek
Battle on, for change! l Azly Rahman
Proverbial justice in the making? l Stanley Koh
Irrelevant, irrelevant, irrelevant! l Kim Quek
Judiciary in crisis l Raja Aziz Addruse