It is sad that even after 47 years of independence, Malaysia has not evolved a broadly consistent foreign policy so that while we have denied asylum to Acehnese refugees who were here recently we are apparently prepared to grant citizenship to Wan Abdul Kadir Che Man, an insurrectionary from Thailand.

And it is certain that his papers will be processed at Pos Laju speeds.

Next, perhaps on the recommendation of the former prime minister, Najib may offer citizenship to Mugabe, the iron-fisted dictator of Zimbabwe when his people eventually rise up against him.

After all, it is alleged that Malaysia has financed the building of his palatial mansion in Harare. Again, when Chile is too hot for Gen Pinochet, will he too be escorted up the fast lane to citizenship by Najib?

This kind of ambivalence seems to colour our relationship with the Abu Sayyaf. We pay them millions of ringgit in ransom on the pretext of securing the safe release of hostages they take knowing perfectly well that the money will go to the purchase of arms to maim and kill innocent Filipinos.

Ordinary Malaysians will not be fooled - the credibility of the government has become a rapidly depreciating asset.