I am amused to hear that International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz had been so sensitive about the tight security checks in Australia.

As a Muslim (not a VIP certainly), I however do not share her public outburst of anger at the Australians for getting the security dogs to snif through her personal belongings.

Where in Al-Quran does it categorically state that the use of dogs (a forbidden, not cursed animal) for security and protection is not acceptable to the faith?

As a frequent flier for official visits abroad, Rafidah should realise the need of a thorough security check (personal or otherwise) these days.

Since she doesn't have a personal jet to travel in, top security is a process that she will have to go through at all the arrival and departure lounges in Australia or any other country including Malaysia, just like all other passengers. Unless she thinks there be a compromise and exception to the security rule in her case.

For once, DAP chief Lim Kit Siang is absolutely right in pointing out that in Malaysia too (in times of public demonstrations and riots) our police had to deploy dogs for security purposes.

Was Rafidah trying to hit the Australian authorities below the belt? And what do our protocol officials at the Malaysian High Commission have to say in order to prevent another ugly scar in our deteriorating bilateral relations with Australia?

We need clarification on this unusual public incident from our own Foreign Ministry or International Trade and Industry Ministry to set the record straight for the integrity and image of our Mahathir administration.

We should deal about more global issues with a country like Australia as a direct link to Asean in the interest of the region rather than being too focused on personal likes and dislikes.