I read the news of Mokhzani Mahathir's decision to quit the corporate world with great interest. What a filial chap! Giving it all up to spare his father, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, future embarrassment and awkward questions about corruption, cronyism and especially nepotism. It brings a tear to the eye.

Of course, not all is as it seems in the wayang kulit show that is Malaysian politics. What's the real reason behind this precipitate departure? Are we seeing the cashing in of chips, the players believing that they can no longer cheat and knowing that the game is up? Or has Abraham sacrificed his son Joseph? Or does Mokhzani think that Daddy cannot look after him any more? Or does Mokhzani want to follow in Daddy's footsteps and run for a high Umno post, now barred by Daddy to the 'excessively rich'? Who knows. Whatever it is, things look dire for the man on top.