It amuses me so much when I read letters in malaysiakini and articles in mainstream papers which try to understand and dissect this so-called 'war against corruption' which the prime minister has embarked on. Even foreign publications are analysing the latest developments as proof of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's commitment to cleaning up the government.

All I can say is - puh-leeze! Isn't it glaringly obvious already why he has embarked on this anti-corruption adventure now? He is not starting an anti-corruption drive at all! This is an election ploy, pure and simple.

So the new PM agrees to the ACA taking Eric Chia and Kasitah Gadam to court - and that makes him what? Committed to ridding the country of corruption? No! The fact that he has decided to take action only now shows that his first and main commitment is to winning the elections. That's all that is.

Malaysiakini

readers and voters should be aware of this - let's not get over-excited with two arrests and expect to see more 'big guns' in the dock. The so-called 18 other big names awaiting to be charged could remain just that after the elections.

Let's see the charges against Chia and Kasitah for what they are - merely pawns in the election tactic. Let's not be stupid and expect to see more arrests after the elections - you won't see Rafidah Aziz, Nazri Aziz or Najib Abdul Razak being dragged to court next. In fact, I won't even be surprised if, after the elections, Kasitah gets re-instated to his position. He may even be aware that this is all just an election ploy.

There is no 'war against corruption' going on in this country. Let's not fool ourselves. It's like George Bush's 'war against terrorism' when what he rally wants is Saddam Hussein's head and Iraq's oil. What our new PM really want in this war is your votes and five more years in power.

But, just as Bush's war will not bring an end to terrorism, Abudullahi's war will not bring an end to corruption.