I refer to your report headlined Pak Lah will prove a 'prickly' guest for Australian host.

At this moment, I am still not sure whether PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's seemingly principled stand is genuine or bogus. There are more than enough examples in the Muslim world where leaders say one thing to please the public at home and do the opposite when they are overseas in Washington, London, Tokyo or Canberra.

In the 2003 Iraq War, for example, Jordan and Saudi Arabia publicly condemned the US-led invasion but behind public views, US special operation forces were allowed to use the territories of Jordan and Saudi Arabia to launch covert operations against Muslims in Iraq.

To prove himself to be genuinely principle, Abdullah has to publicly reiterate Malaysia's bipartisan opposition to the 2003 Iraq War and also to demand the immediate withdrawal of all foreign, including US, UK, Australian, Japan, New Zealand and South Korean troops from Iraq.

Abdullah must not kowtow to John Howard. Abdullah must emulate the great example of Dr Mahathir Mohamad who was admired and respected throughout the Islamic and Third worlds for his principled stands on issues affecting us.

Furthermore, as the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Conference) and NAM (Non-Aligned Movement) chairperson, Malaysia is duty-bound to express the strong and unequivocal feeling of the Islamic and Third words to America's "deputy sheriff" in Asia. Otherwise, Malaysia would lose moral standing, legitimacy and credibility as a Muslim and non-Aligned nation.

I hope Abdullah will not disappoint us Malaysians and millions of anti-Iraq War supporters throughout the world, including in Australia, UK and US.