I laud Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's quick and immediate stand to describe the bombing in Bali as despicable. In fact, I wish he could have said more and taken the leadership in the debate on terrorism.

Enlightened leaders like Pak Lah should seize the debate from terrorists who are trying to hijack the Muslim's world agenda from what rightfully belongs to people like Pak Lah.

Pak Lah's strong Islamic credentials make him the right person to take the debate away from heretics. His hesitancy troubles me deeply. Pak Lah should realise that he has the support of the truth, which cuts across all segments of Malaysian society and probably across much of the Muslim and non-Muslims world as well.