I do not quite understand why the hue and cry by Malaysia over the absence of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at the the Asean Regional Forum (ARF) in Vientiane, Laos later this month.

Foreign Affairs Minister Syed Hamid Albar feels it is 'regrettable' because in the history of the Asean Regional Forum (ARF) and the Post-Ministerial Conference (PMC), the US has always been represented at the highest level and this was a departure.

He feared that it may be an indicator that the US was giving less importance to Asean. But to my mind, all is not lost since US Trade Representatives Robert B Zoellick will be representing Rice at both the ARF and PMC. I am quite aware that Bob is a qualified, competent and capable replacement.

Instead of sulking, my advice to this fora is to get on with things, especially in upholding democracy, ending racism and instilling accountability, transparency, good governance in all partner states.

If one thinks about it, Rice's absence could indeed a signal a signal to get one's house in order before having guests over.