Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, popularly, and even affectionately, referred to by Malaysians as Pak Lah, talks a good game. His low-key, moderate stance is in striking contrast to, and to many a welcome change, from the provocative style of his predecessor.

Pak Lah's message seems to be different too. He talks about the need to combat corruption, for example. His statements on the subject though have yet to be followed by anything particularly dramatic in the form of investigations or convictions, especially of high-level offenders, and the much-vaunted ACA is sadly lacking in powers.

But at least he has officially acknowledged that the corruption problem exists, which is more than some former prime ministers of Malaysia have elected to do.