Although it is no longer current news, the sacking of former group editor-in-chief Abdullah Ahmad in 2003 is neither ancient history.

Since the popular memory is still fresh, the case should be publicly and critically discussed again from all its dimensions to enhance our understanding of Umno's politics and the political integrity of both the prime minister and his deputy.

If the sacking is, as alleged by Umno president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, due to Abdullah Ahmad's critical commentary on the Saudi Arabia ruling elite, then the questions raised by N Suhaila should indeed be answered by the Umno president and prime minister.

Otherwise, Abdullah could be suspect of favouring the Saudi Arab's Wahhabi ruling elite and discriminating against a citizen of Malaysia.

He could also even be seen as assisting the Saudi Arab's Wahhabi ruling elite to interfere with the editorial policy and freedom of the media in Malaysia. In either case, it is unbecoming of a Malaysian prime minister.

There is also lingering suspicion that Abdullah Ahmad was sacked because he abused the New Straits Times as personal platform to publicly lobby for Najib Razak to be appointed as the deputy prime minister.

However, if that was the real reason, why was he sacked and Najib - who never came to the former's defence - finally appointed the DPM? Does this not show the true colours of Najib? How can others in Umno, the Barisan Nasional and the opposition now trust Najib as a leader?

To dispel these negative images, Najib should publicly disclose the real reason for Abdullah Ahmad's sacking.

Last but not least, the government must publish a White Paper to officially disclose details of:

a) the investigation into BSA Tahir who has been detained without trial for allegedly acting as the middleman between Pakistan's rogue nuclear ring headed by AQ Khan and

b) the allegation by US authorities against one 'Abdullah Badawi' and other Malaysian companies in the United Nations' Iraq oil-for-food scandal.