I refer to the malaysiakini report BBC blasted for interviews with 'rejected leaders' .

Any person who understands the working of the British democracy in general, and the freedom of the press in particular, would not make such uninformed statement as reportedly made by the Malaysian Information Minister.

Although the BBC is a state-owned enterprise, it does not report to the British government. Witness the airings of the various scandals involving the British Labour Party and the British government by the BBC.

Maybe the Malaysian Minister of Information should have hinted of the withdrawal of Malaysian advertisements from the BBC which would have carried a bit more weight rather than his meaningless 'threat' that bilateral relationships would be affected.

Then again, Malaysia would not look too good to potential visitors and tourists from the West, not to mention the loss of the 'Malaysia Truly Asia' accolade.

Taking all factors into consideration, it is perhaps easier for the Malaysian prime minister to just replace the incompetent minister as has been suggested.