The former premier's comments that corruption may become 'a way of life' and that money politics is a disease in Umno are worth pondering upon though as he seems to be suffering from selective memory with regards to his days in office.

How can the former premier say 'fight corruption' with a straight face when during his time, ministers and top officials under his watch were known to be immune from being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) due to his interference?

Remember the case of the former head of the Econimic Planning Unit who was alleged to have had a bundle of cash in his drawer? A top ACA officer himself testified during the open trial of Anwar Ibrahim that he was chastised by the former premier for having dared to investigate EPU staff.

And wasn't the Attorney-General himself instructed by someone not to proceed with the corruption charges against two Cabinet ministers although investigations had already been completed and enough evidence gathered?

Sad to say that during the watch of the Dr Mahathir Mohamad, many top guns were involved in corruption but he chose to close an eye to this abuse of power by his acolytes as long as they followed his orders and dis not go against him during his 22 years in office.

Instead, the only high profile corruption case during his tenure was against his nemesis and former heir apparent who did dare to go against him. To a majority of decent Malaysians it was clearly a case of very selective prosecution.

However, one must sadly agree with Mahathir's statement that corruption is becoming rampant now and that what was once 'under the counter table money' is now fast becoming 'over the counter table money' with no sense of shame by both parties involved.

Corruptions is like cancer, it will kill if not nipped in the bud. Foreign investors will not invest in this country if palms have to be greased several times just to get approvals from government officials to do business.

Money politics is another form of cancer that afflicts Umno politicians who use money to get elected for top posts not realising that it will eventually kill off the nation.

The present prime minster should have the strength of courage to let the ACA investigate prominent officials or persons who abuse their power to win votes at Umno polls. If the largest party in Malaysia cannot clean up its act to rid of tainted officials, how are other BN parties and government agencies going to do it?

So Pak Lah, don't make the same mistake of your predecessor made in protecting guilty parties who abuse their power. Let the ACA investigate without fear and favor and let the Attorney- General have a free hand in prosecuting the guilty as a lesson to others.

Time is not on your side for in just another three years, you will face the public again and they will remember your solemn promise to fight graft when you first entered office.

The public is waiting for this promise to turn into a reality and if you don't act now, the next general election could be you Waterloo.