As the Mahathir rule is formally and officially coming to an end in October, it can be expected that more and more eulogies and panegyrics bordering on an earthly cult of personality will surface in the official media.

Some do it with decent sincerity, while others, sheer buffoonery.

While some are expressions of genuinely felt admiration and respect, many others appear to have utilitarian, opportunistic or even Machiavellian motives.

For example, by praising Mahathir publicly, some actually wish to signal with an artful approach that they still have no confidence in his appointed successor, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Others may simply seize the rare opportunity to show the public, friends or foes in politics, public services, businesses or official 'journalism' that he or she knows someone who was once powerful and may still be highly influential behind the scene for many years to come (in Malaysia, know-who is often more critical and important than know-how).