Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawis confession that there was a former minister who funded radical Islamic groups in the United States must be taken seriously.

And there is only one way to deal with this serious matter - expose him (or her?) and perhaps hand this person over to the government of the United States so that he (or she) could be tried by a military tribunal of the United States.

It would be a positive step to clear Malaysias name and unfair charges that the country has been a party to or launchpad for the horrific Sept 11 attacks.

Indeed, the government of the United States should demand the extradition of this ex-minister from Malaysia to the United States for investigation and interrogation.

Under international law and the convention of war crimes, financiers and political patrons of war criminals are also liable for prosecution.

If the allegation is not true, I suggest that the accusers  both the original and subsequent sources  including Abdullah Ahmad Badawi should be charged by the US military for perjury.

The reason for the case to be handled by US jurisdiction and law of war is that thousands of Americans in Washington DC and New York were killed in a cold-blooded manner and warlike fashion. Abdullah Badawi must name the ex-minister and hand him/her over to the United States to preserve international cooperation on security.

Otherwise, the US is entitled to review its relationship with Malaysia. Malaysians will then have no one to blame but Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for his refusal to comply with international law and norms on war and terrorism.