Recently, I wrote regarding the Approved Permits (APs) saga in Let the half-dead cat out of the bag. In a swell stroke of political finesse, Pak Lah has deftly let the cat out of the stinking bag - and on the eve of the Umno AGA at that. Wow!

Political pundits can now go to roost on how he so artfully unfastened the Gordian knot. And for quite a moment, some had even mistakenly perceived the PM to have such a naive and simple frame.

Whether it is to stoke the flames of debate over the twin evils of cronyism or corruption or to take the fizzle out of the political maelstrom (the Mahathir/Rafidah tango) or to target heat- seeking missiles on those who have been sitting on their hot and pretty piles, he seems to be adept at all.

And what I can vouch for is that if you take a poll today of the ordinary men and women on the street, Pak Lah will get close to 99 percent public approval for his derring-do.

The great tragedy of Pak Lah's predecessor (may history reflect kindly on his achievements), notwithstanding his distinctive stature and reputation as a strategic thinker, was that he allowed all those mega-monoliths to obscure his views of the things that matter to the ordinary folks.

It is the lack of respect for the people that is the folly of politicians. To lift a phrase from Shakespeare, we '... are not wood...not stones, but men. And, being men, ... it will inflame you, - it will make you mad. If you have tears, prepare to shed them now ... '.

It is quite apparent that for years (no, decades), some few Umno politicians and the rarefied genre that are well-connected have ripped off the bumiputra community and enriched themselves only to dissipate their ill-gotten wealth in profligate lifestyles.

And they cry out for more under the cloak and guise of the underprivileged bumiputeras. The NEP has always been manipulated as a smokescreen. I dare say categorically it is never a real issue.

Why, if funds can be raised to alleviate African poverty or for the tsunami victims, much more charity can begin at home. It's never a question of policy, it is always a question of ineffectual programmes or the abuse of programmes and privileges.

The people have been defrauded - bumis and non-bumis alike. This is why there is a need for an upheaval in the Malaysian political culture. This is why Umno and all other political parties, MCA, Gerakan, MIC et. al. need honest men, those who strive to keep their hands clean and value an impeccable integrity above the glimmer of gold.
We ought to beware of '... some that smile, (but) have in their hearts, millions of mischiefs' (yes, Shakespeare again, I'm afraid).

But frankly, I am beginning to like Pak Lah's style. And it's winning kudos for his faith and religion.

And as for that 'AP' word, some day it will be assimilated in the vocabulary as an 'automotive pariah' word because it is despised and rejected by the people as a Trojan horse to manipulate the teeming poor to pay for the comforts and luxury of so few.

Rafidah, do something really good before you retire.