I am rather surprised with the statement Umno Supreme Council member Dr Norraesah Mohamad who is reported to have stated that International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz and Proton advisor and former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad should meet like 'father and daughter' to resolve whatever issues that have cropped up as a result of the AP list .

She is wrong to state that the issue appeared to have become 'personal between two individuals'.

It is also rather distasteful for Norraesah, who is also a member of the Wanita Umno executive council, to ask the media not to play up the issue further as there were more important issues faced by the country.

But what more important issues are there than to clear up issues pertaining to corruption, good governance, accountability, and transparency, as these are the cornerstone on which the Abdullah Administration came in.

On the issue being 'personal', I am certain Mahathir has far important tasks to pursue than to indulge in such bickering.

To put the record straight, the controversy over the APs and national automobile policy cropped up when the much-loved former prime minister questioned the issuance of APs to the extent that the sale of the national cars had been affected while imported cars which were assembled in this country with little local content had been given national car status.

And instead of answering straightforward questions, there was an attempt to avoid the real issue, which raised pertinent questions as to accountability, transparency and good governance. Worse still, there was an attempt to make Mahathir look rather silly in the eyes of a nation of 26 million people who respect, love and hold him dearly.

Now, after the public disclosure of the APs list, more questions are raised with a new call to also look at the manner in which bumiputera share allocations are made!

It is rather foolish to try to contain or simplify the issue what with the whole nation talking it, and making headlines abroad. I am glad to see that Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is staying clear of the crossfire and facilitating complete disclosure, which does his leadership much credit.

On the other hand, it is clear that the exposure has opened up Pandora's box and exposed the irregularities and corrupt practices of people in powerful positions. Others in similar positions are now jittery their turn may come sooner than expected.

This is a good a time to facilitate the reopening of the much talked about high profile cases of corruption .