It is interesting to note that even during these trying times, we have Malaysians, who provide avenues for laughs.

First, we have a human rights commissioner, Prof Hamdan Adnan, saying that Suhakam would be filing a memorandum of protest against the invasion of Iraq at the foreign missions of countries involved in the attack! Does it have locus?

Is he aware that there is absolutely no provision for such actions in the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999?

Legally speaking, Suhakam would be acting "outside its statutory scope and jurisdiction" in sending anti-war memorandums to the US embassy, and British and Australian high commissions, but never mind - what is more important is the publicity gained from the local media groups. Yes?

Then, we have the "infamous Umno Youth" who remain tightlipped o­n violations of basic human rights, racism and corruption in Malaysia, but whose leader wants to initiate legal action against leaders of the countries involved in the invasion of Iraq.

They are going to study international law to determine if there is a case to bring the leader of the US and its allies to court.

Perhaps, he should go to Dang Wangi Police Station and make a police report. And who knows, our law enforcement officers may decide to take a trip abroad to make the arrest of the 2Bs (Blair and Bush) o­n behalf of Umno Youth.

Perhaps, there is room in the Sungai Buloh prison in Selangor for two more politicians of international reputation.

And, not to be outdone by the former two, the disgraced Malaysian Trades Union Congress, which can hardly keep its house in order, with certain self-righteous student bodies, known o­nly too well for their intolerance of minority views and racism within the campus groupings, wants Malaysia to take action against America and boycott all things American.

This may be a blessing in disguise.

The Malaysian government, with its financial constraints of late, having to borrow from even the Japanese for some of our 'development projects' , can save millions in educational scholarships to our students, now in American and British institutions of higher education.

And thanks to these people holding political and public office, Malaysia will continue to be the laughing stock of the world, and our long-term interest would be affected.