Regardless of the outcome of the royal commission of inquiry into the Lingam Tape scandal, these public hearings have already given us a rare and instructive glimpse into the inner workings of our government at the highest levels, and of the calibre of individuals in such positions.

This is also clearly demonstrated by the commissioners themselves. Their individual impressive credentials notwithstanding, they are merely boys sent to do the job of men.

In forcing Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to convene this commission, Anwar Ibrahim has done a great service to the nation. Malaysia owes a huge debt of gratitude to him, as well as to the son of businessman Loh Mui Fah for having the foresight to tape that infamous conversation in the first place, and to the anonymous individual who subsequently gave that tape to Anwar.

The alternative media, together with various bloggers and members of non-governmental entities, helped ensure that the evolving scandal was not conveniently ignored by the government. The mainstream media were, as usual, irrelevant. They not only missed this most important story but tried initially to dismiss it.

When Dr Mahathir Mohamad was called to testify, even the lawyers seemed intimidated by him. Lesser mortals like those sitting on the commission have all lost their you-know-what even before the inquiry starts.

Most if not all the commissioners are indebted to him in one way or another. So like the Malay saying, ‘termakan budi’ they are helpless. All they can, and will do, is to nod their heads and smile. After all they were once obedient servants of the Tun.

Lingam's ‘Looks and sounds like me, but….’ is the quote of the year. He's having a field day at our behest. I have no idea about the legal fraternity but from what I gather from the past 10 days or so of the inquiry:

1. Ahmad Fairuz got his Tan Sri Title recommended by Tengku Adnan and not Dzaiddin Abdullah.

2. Tengku Adnan was very closed to Vincent Tan

3. Lingam was very close to Eusoff Chin

4. Eusoff Chin and Dzaiddin was not in good terms

5. Dzaiddin's recommendation was turned down by Mahathir

6. Mahathir was very close to Vincent Tan

7. Lingam was closed to Vincent Tan

If indeed Lingam was bragging and he was not in tele-conversation with Ahmad Fairuz, then who was at the other end of the line? Since what Lingam uttered appeared to be the real stuff as pointed out by Dzaiddin and since Dzaiddin has revealed that no one else knows about what transpired then there are only three parties who actually knew about it:

1. Mahathir

2. Tengku Adnan (because he has the privilege)

3. Vincent Tan (because he is close to Mahathir and Tengku Adnan)

Vincent Tan would have informed Lingam to ‘kaw tim’ everything. But why would Lingam brag in front of Loh Mui Fah? If he was drunk, then what was said by him was true.

So the picture gets clearer - there is a conspiracy to cover up the whole thing. Let’s wait and see if Dzaiddin, Tengku Adnan and Eusoff Chim sue Lingam because it looks like the commission will find the video to be authentic and get Lingam to take full responsibility and clear Eusoff and Ahmad Fairuz. The truth lies among all these actors. The truth is someone is lying.