COMMENT Within just 24 hours, inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar and Umno’s senior cabinet member, Nazri Abdul Aziz, have said things that are damaging to both their own reputations, as well as the country’s long-term relationship with Australia.

Personally, I am not amused with what they had to say. Khalid accused Australia of raising a false alarm when it sent out an advisory to its citizens warning them against a possible Islamic State (IS) attack in Kuala Lumpur.

Under normal circumstances, the embassy would not issue such warnings. Since the advisory was issued, it is the duty of Khalid and his men to liaise directly with their counterparts in Australia to exchange notes.