I refer to the Malaysiakini report Petrol bombs thrown at DAP HQ in Ipoh .

When the Vietnamese Army overran Cambodia and ousted the Pol Pot regime and instituted a more liberal form of communist government there, ending the massacre of innocent people by a barbaric regime, Malaysia was one of the countries that condemned that Vietnamese action.

Malaysia's action could have been for a couple of reasons. Then we have the case for Burma of which we called for engagement instead. What has it done for Burma this so-called ‘engagement’ and what good has it done our own reputation?

Sanctioning Burma or Cambodia would have meant setting a trend to allow the sanctioning of Malaysia when she acts in similar fashion. Today there are those held under the ISA without trial, today there is the government halting big and essential projects in states governed by the opposition and only because they are ruled by the opposition.

Today, this same Umno-led government that let down the Cambodians and supported the Burmese junta is threatening to lock up some of our senior politicians claiming that they have insulted the sultans and further is attempting to charge them with treason.

So if you are ever wondering why Malaysia did not allow sanctions against Burma or if you are wondering why when so many were being butchered in Cambodia Malaysia demanded the withdrawal of the Vietnamese, you do not have to wonder any longer.

They do not want those same restrictions such as sanctions placed on them when they behave in similar fashion. Look at today's scenario and wonder no more. Instead start pondering what this government will resort to if it is defeated at the federal level by the impending crossovers.