" I won't insult your intelligence by suggesting that you really believe what you just said." - William F Buckley Jr.

COMMENT On the other hand, maybe the implication of ‘intelligence' when it comes to the former information minister and ex- Utusan Malaysia editor is suspect itself.

Zainuddin Maidin's rant against former Indonesian president BJ Habibie has all the hallmarks of Umno public relations ineptitude; collateral damage of allies accrued when demonising political opponents coupled with friendly fire on your own governmental policies.

For instance, Zainuddin's conclusion that opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and Habibie were "dogs of imperialism" could be reflected back on the current regime.

After all, doesn't the whole Lynas fiasco demonstrate that the Umno regime is beholden to western corporate interests that are in reality the new imperialism? Or when an American nuclear vessel docks at our port (when Malaysia is a signatory to Zopfan, Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality) for "economic" purposes...