As the report rightly pointed out, the government, through its various agencies, is the largest shareholder in Telekom. According to the company's latest annual report, the government directly or indirectly controls over 75 percent of TMB's equity.

So here we have a situation where the chief executive of the government is apparently frustrated by the policies of a business entity which his government so firmly controls.

The solution to Mahathir's predicament should be quite obvious. He should instruct the government's nominees on TMB's board to pass a resolution to reduce its rates.

It is indeed strange that Mahathir &#8212 a seasoned practitioner in the art of wielding power &#8212 appears to be so powerless.