Every year, hundreds of heads of states and governments visit the United States to conduct diplomatic activities. Most of them come into the limelight of the media with news on serious matters of public interests.

Malaysia's Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamd and his deputy, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi do not seem to have serious agreements or disagreements with the United States. It is reflected on their personal feelings of being "mistreated" by US security officials in airports. It is shameful.

However, the media in Malaysia has already attempted to play up anti-American sentiments, without realising it actually backfires on Malaysia itself.

Malaysia is now seen as being led by top leaders who are bankrupt of great and new ideas, and who have to resort to political gimmicks normally used by lower ranks of politicians at village level to gain sympathy and support from simple-minded folks, or to divert public attention from their mismanagement of many domestic issues ranging from financial scandals, corruption, education reform, police abuses of powers, judicial messes, violation of human rights, etc.

Assuming their claims are factually correct, it still cannot be termed as "mistreatment". The US security officials who ordered Mahathir and Pak Lah to follow reasonable rules and regulations should be commended for doing their professional duties.

Unlike Malaysian officials who obey only the order of some top leaders, their US counterparts are educated and trained to professionally follow rules and regulations without fear or favour. BN leaders must learn from the lessons to live in a modern and globalised world.