While it is heartening to hear that the gazetting of the 'imperfect' Family Law Bill has been put on hold, the way that this whole saga has developed is another classic example of the weakness of Pak Lah's decision-making.

Even when the law was being debated, I may recall a certain Nazri Aziz cracking the party whip to ensure its passage. This in spite of the impassioned pleas of Malaysians who have bothered to read or understand the law and highlighting its unfairness. Upon realising however that he himself has daughters of his own or perhaps that he has more than one wife, the same Nazri has suddenly climbed down from his high horse and offered conciliatory placates.

Pak Lah next joins the fray and declares that, yes, the law is flawed but we will correct it later, God-willing. We must be the first democratic country in the world that passes law that will only be correct in the future.

Finally, after much hoo-ha and being the centre of unwelcome attention, Pak Lah comes to his senses and makes a U-turn. How did this come to pass one asks? What system of law-making do we have that allows such laws get so far and be passed? Is this country being run by one, two or three persons, the rest only nodding their heads either in agreement or falling to sleep?

Pak Lah must realise that he can't please everyone but can definitely look silly trying to do so - thousands of cars at the ports waiting for APs, the unnecessarily long drawn-out nude ear squat controversy, two years as the PM and still the same cabinet, all this and more.

Perhaps Pak Lah should cut down on his overseas trips and stay at home more. Maybe it will help him deliberate faster and most importantly take a stand, a trait so far glaringly lacking in him.