When Arab regimes behave like spoilt brats (or worse)

Because there has been some 'curiosity', let me make it plain: I don't need permission from the Saudis, Abu Dhabi or anybody else to write what I want to write.

Arab regimes have appalling low tolerance levels. I often cite the case of one of Malaysia's most influential editors, Abdullah Ahmad, to explain this point. His career was ruined after an article he wrote in the New Straits Times on 12 November 2003. I've just reread that article in his book "On the Record". What followed the publication of that opinion piece is an example of how Arab regimes go about curbing freedom of expression beyond their borders. And they do it in a sly, determined and destructive way.

Bush and Blair: Despicable war criminals

More than eight years since the invasion of Iraq, George W. Bush and Tony Blair continue to be despised for their illegitimate military adventure. Malaysia's former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who had opposed the war when in office, remains a strong critic of the US and British leaders, calling them "the two best known war criminals".

Speaking on Friday at an anti-war forum organized by his Perdana Global Peace Foundation, Dr Mahathir lashed out at Bush and Blair. He strongly believes that wars should be criminalized as they glorify mass killings and have become profitable business for some countries. The Kuala Lumpur War Crimes Tribunal will hold the Anglo-American duo's trial on Saturday in a move that is both symbolic and part of a campaign not to forget the immense destruction caused by Bush and Blair's policies.

Blair is especially hated because of his cunning servility towards US global power, something his own country Britain is unable to project on its own. It is also apparent how this obnoxious man is profiteering from his former position as Britain's prime minister. Blair (he is Arthur Balfour's real heir) is pathetic as the so-called peace envoy on Palestine. It just gives him another tool to earn privileges for himself from the Gulf's super-rich sheikhs. The Kuala Lumpur trial is likely to find both Bush and Blair guilty of grave war crimes. Let us hope it encourages Asian leaders and unscrupulous businessmen from associating themselves with these two despicable men.