I think most people have missed the real issue in the Dr Mahathir Mohamad vs Abdullah Ahmad Badawi dispute.

Although there is some truth to Mahathir's assertion that Abdullah is weak and indecisive, ultimately it all boils down to one issue - a dispute over whose relatives and cronies benefit from the government Treasury.

Mahathir is upset because his cronies have been largely left out in the current dispensation. At the end of the day, that is all there is to it.

Abdullah had a wonderful opportunity, when he took office, to set things right after 22 years of Mahathir's indifference to business ethics.

Sadly, he has not only perpetuated most of the harmful policies of his predecessor, but there is a case to be made that he has even surpassed the wily and corrupt doctor.