NAM may be right in reasoning that the Crackdown to impress Bush in which 14 people were arrested under the Internal Security Act and a search mounted for a hundred more is to impress the United States and President George W Bush.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad probably hopes that by dancing to what he perceives to be the American tune, he may have his prestige and legitimacy enhanced.

However, a deeper analysis will reveal that Mahathir may miscalculate again. First, meeting and taking photographs witht Bush may further erode his credibility and legitimacy in the Islamic world, both domestic and international.

The Islamic world, both at home and abroad is still very anti-American after the war in Afghanistan. Associating himself with the American president who is perceived in the Islamic world as anti-Islam would almost certainly backfire in the coming general elections, and beyond.

Second, if I were Bush, I would not have decided to meet Mahathir now that the latter has become highly controversial in the Islamic world, especially in Malaysia. It is not to the interests of the United States to be so closely associated with a Malaysian leader who has been regarded by many Muslims as dictatorial and tyrannical, if the United States would like to attract the hearts and minds of ordinary Muslims in its strategic effort to isolate terrorists.

The United States and the White House must seriously study the implications and consequences of granting an appointment to Mahathir. The United States must not further alienate Muslims, and even non-Muslims in Malaysia who are demanding for democracy and human rights.

Of course, if the meeting is for the American president to admonish and reprimand Mahathir behind closed door for his gross and systematic violation of human rights and curtailment of press freedom, then it is another matter altogether.