Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi should sack Mohd Isa Samad - vice-president of Umno and the federal territories minister - if he means what he says about having a zero tolerance level for corruption.

Mohd Isa should not be given the option of resigning from his post as minister. It may sound drastic but those found guilty of corruption, especially those holding high office, must know that the consequences of their actions would be very costly.

Asking a minister to resign after being found corrupt would be a form of compromise. Such a face-saving option should not be considered or given at all. It will be a slap in the PM's face - whose campaign and chorus against corruption looks more like a charade to date.

(And God forbid that Isa be given another post, for instance, the post of a governor, after a few years of his resignation when the public suffers from amnesia with regards to the wrong he has done.)

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's 'latest opinion' on the matter is that it is the premier's prerogative to decide Isa's position in the cabinet. This is, of course, a very different tune from his immediate and initial response that Isa must relinquish his cabinet post as this was 'the convention'.

Najib is more interested in politics and not the principles that have been violated.

Mohd Isa, following the supreme council's decision, said he is prepared to resign from his cabinet post. However he would not resign as a member of parliament for his constituency of Jempol in Negri Sembilan.

The penalty for corruption by those who hold high office must be hard, heavy and harsh. Isa has said that he was "amused" by the decision of the Umno supreme council. Pak Lah should further amuse him by sacking him. Anything less would reduce the PM's anti-corruption campaign to a laughing matter.