Dr Mahathir Mohamad's outburst can be seen from many angles. Politically, he has let out a time bomb it could split Umno but fortunately for Pak Lah, his cabinet showed their support for him. But then what are the undertones in Umno?

Newsweek once reported Umno as a "seething snake pit". There are business people there - who with their self-interest at stake in the various projects that Mahathir undertook - would make his (Mahathir's) words bite.

A probable split in Umno would allow the opposition to make some inroads which could create a very serious threat to the stability of this government (or make it more democratic!). Many people are even afraid to think this or even write about it. If it was Mahathir's time, anyone uttering anti-government statements would be arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

Fortunately, the opposition, like Karpal Singh (DAP) have also come out in support of Pak Lah's administration and has said Mahathir should cease and desist. But how long will the opposition do this?

Many of the cabinet ministers and the press have been very polite and have taken the pacifist's line in saying things like Mahathir is an elder statesman and should not be doing this. They fail to realise that he is a master politician and utterly devious. Nazri has commented on the manner in which Mahathir had brought up issues like the scenic bridge and the Proton issue where he had sent letters to Umno members. Why the need to do that if not to create a split? Why was it not sufficient just to bring it up in the media?

Mahathir feels that no one can be better than him. That's the psyche of this man but what are the social implications he can bring about to this country by his devious remarks? Only time will tell. With the rising costs of living, the ordinary folk will feel the bite and will manifest their displeasure in various ways. Like a devious politician Mahathir is, like the Machiavellian that he is, he has timed his remarks well.

But I must say I do admire Pak Lah for his courage not to be drawn into replying to his former boss and I'm sure many other Malaysians would admire this character trait of our prime minister. Pak Lah faces many adversities among them the rising cost of living which is the result of the 'tidak apa' spending attitude of the Mahathir government.

Pak Lah is tackling these issues carefully and this takes time which some don't have the patience for. It takes time to get used to Pak Lah's way but it seems apparent that many, especially business people, don't have the patience nor the stamina to withstand the grind.

I do hope our common sense will prevail and more people would give their opinions as Mahathir has. The irony of it all is that the former PM has opened the doors for people to speak out which they should.