It also said it had agreed to follow the commission's recommendation to investigate individuals named in the report, who include Tun Dr Mahathir and former chief justices Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim and Tun Eusoff Chin.

Others mentioned are Malaysian tycoon Vincent Tan, former minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and lawyer V.K. Lingam.

The damning report, which will be available for sale to the public next week, was prepared by a five-member commission, which investigated a sensational video clip allegedly showing Lingam brokering judicial appointments.

'We are of the view that there was, conceivably, an insidious movement by DVKL (Datuk V.K. Lingam) with the covert assistance of his close friends, Tan Sri Vincent Tan and Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan, to involve themselves actively in the appointment of judges, in particular, the appointment of Tun Ahmad Fairuz as the chief judge, Malaya, and subsequently as president, court of appeal,' said the 191-page report.

'In the process, Tun Mahathir Mohamad was also entangled,' it added.

'Their ultimate aim or purpose could not be ascertained with exactitude... (but) it is reasonable to suggest that it could not be anything but self-serving.'

Tun Dr Mahathir had testified at the inquiry that he was not influenced by his associates in his selection of judges.

When pressed for details, he kept repeating that he could no longer remember.

Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan was deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department when the video was allegedly made. He is no longer in the Cabinet.

De facto law minister Zaid Ibrahim, who released the report to the press yesterday, said the Cabinet had agreed with the commission's finding that the clip was authentic.

'The Cabinet agrees for the Attorney-General's chambers to institute an immediate investigation into all allegations levelled against individuals identified in the report,' he said.

He added that Datuk Lingam and the others would be investigated for possible offences such as obstruction of justice, sedition and leaking state secrets.

The report also rejected Datuk Lingam's claim that he was either drunk or boasting during the taped conversation.

Tun Ahmad Fairuz, who became chief justice in 2003 and retired last year, has denied speaking to Datuk Lingam.

The others also denied any wrongdoing while testifying at inquiry hearings earlier this year.

The scandal erupted when opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim leaked a video last September that allegedly showed Datuk Lingam speaking on a cellphone in 2001 with Tun Ahmad Fairuz, boasting about his ability to influence judicial appointments.

The release of the video sparked widespread anger and protests by lawyers and the public.

In Malaysia's legal system, the chief judge recommends candidates for senior judicial appointments and promotions to the prime minister, who can accept or reject those names.

Malaysia's judiciary has long been plagued by claims of corruption. Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi announced last month that an independent panel would be set up to select judges as part of reforms.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister's Department has lodged a police report against several newspapers for publishing the findings of the Royal Commission of Inquiry before they were made public.

It is learnt that a senior official from the department lodged a police report yesterday morning at the Putrajaya police headquarters.

hazlinh@sph.com.sg