I am quite bemused to read in today's news that our beloved Johor Menteri Besar has taken to welcoming Singaporean tourists to Johor notwithstanding Sars.

It may be quite difficult for non-Johoreans or even Singaporeans to fathom how compromising our MB can be when it comes to tourist dollars and how astute he can be when it comes to Singapore-bashing to further his political agenda. The cases in point have been the water and reclamation issues. I am not saying who's right or wrong o­n these issues, but merely pointing out there are no morals in politics (read: politicians) when it comes to money.

Our MB ought to remember not too long ago his tirade against Singapore has hurt the person-in- the-street who is dependent o­n the Singapore tourist dollar for his daily livelihood. It reminds me of our senior politicians who o­n o­ne hand vilify the US leadership (only to retract it later) and o­n the other hand say we "love their people".

The honourable MB should recant and reflect o­n his readiness to compromise the health of our southern kinsfolk for a few more ringgit in his state coffers.