In fact, Malaysian pollies, in defence mode over the treatment of Anwar, are threatening to topple Thailand's leadership as the most colorful bunch of pollies in the region.

In a blustering visit to neighbouring Indonesia last year, ex Deputy Baba Ghafar noted in reference to Anwar "..I see homosexuality is legal here. If you like him so much you can have him...". He followed this up with various barbs regarding Indonesia's present condition, suggesting these should be fixed up before they commented on the affairs of others.

When Indonesian President Habibie and Philippine El Presido Estrada ventured to make less than positive statements on Malaysia's treatment of Anwar, Malaysian officials referred to them as "new and inexperienced leaders".

Mahathir's statements on the press, Anwar and Soros are well known, and Rafidah referred to Gore's speech where he expressed respect for "the courageous" Malaysian citizens who called for "Reformasi" as "the most disgusting speech (she had) ever heard".

However, the Malaysian's have some way to go to reach the standards of the master of political invective, ex-Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating. Gafar seems to have got the closest during his rambunctious unofficial diplomatic tour of Indonesia but he still lacks the color and poetry of Keating.

In fact, Mahathir himself found himself at the end of a few Keating spears, including a reference to him being a "recalcitrant" for refusing to attend an APEC gathering. This resulted in a great scurry of activity among Mahathir's supporters in defence. Mahathir's "New Straits Times" retaliated by captioning a photo of Mahathir and Keating meeting during a subsequent visit with the following...

"pictured inspecting the guard was Prime Minister Dato Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Keating."

For your amusement, some collected quotes follow from the full Scumbag Archive put together by a couple of students in Australia

Mahathir should note Keating's use of the culturally-correct imagery, balanced rhythm, alliteration and metre. His invocation of animals is also particularly effective as is his economy and use of words with one or two syllables. Keating became one of the most unpopular (and most effective) politicians in Australian history. ..And this was without any training in language studies, political pedigree or priviliged background. ..And like Mahathir, personally and in private Keating is a mdodest and charming gent. It can also be seen that Keating probably has a lower opinion of the Australian press than Mahathir has on the International Press or Sinatra ("..these whores of the press...")

A short study should help any upcoming scumbag become a distinguished proponent of the art...

• "I am not like the Leader of the Opposition. I did not slither out of the Cabinet room like a mangy maggot..."

• "He has more hide than a team of elephants."

• "Now listen mate," [to John Brown, Minister of Sport, who was proposing a 110 per cent tax deduction for contributions to a Sports Foundation], "you're not getting 110 per cent. You can forget it. This is a fucking Boulevard Hotel special, this is. The trouble is we are dealing with a sports junkie here [gesturing towards Bob Hawke]. I go out for a piss and they pull this one on me. Well that's the last time I leave you two alone. From now on, I'm sticking to you two like shit to a blanket."

• "...You stupid foul-mouthed grub."

• "I was implying that the Honorable Member for Wentworth was like a lizard on a rock - alive, but looking dead."

• "..old dozy over there, the Honourable Member for Wentworth.."

• This is the sort of little-boy, stamp your foot stuff which comes from a financial yuppie when you shoe him into parliament. (In reference to former PM John Hewson, a former university economics professor)

• "You've been in the dye pot again, Andrew." (in reference to former opposition leader Andrew Peacock's dyed hair)

• "We're not interested in the views of painted, perfumed gigolos." (in reference to Peacock again)

• "It is the first time the Honourable Gentleman has got out from under the sunlamp." (..and again!)

• "Fucking animals!" (In reference to the Press)

• "Laurie Oakes [is] a cane toad." (Laurie Oakes is a journalist)

• Reporter: How long is it since you've been to Fyshwick Markets ?

  Keating: "Not long, not long. In fact if you get down to Woollies at Manuka on Saturday I'd probably run over you with a trolley as I did a journo recently." ("Woollies" is Australian vernacular for the local Woolworth's grocery and department chain, "Manuka" is a Canberra dormitory suburb; "Fyshwick Markets" is a traditional working class market.)

• "Codd will be lucky to get a job cleaning shithouses if I ever become Prime Minister."

• "It must get right up their nose, quaffing down the red wine at these fashionable eateries in Bent Street and Collins Street, with the Prime Minister calling them donkeys - but donkeys they are." (in reference to AMP management)

• "I'm always being attacked by delegate Walker. He's been attacking me ever since I used to touch him up in the [ALP] Youth Council 20 years ago."

• "These dummies and dimwits"

• "Those opposite could not operate a tart shop"

• "These intellectual hoboes"

• "This rabble opposite"

• "...for the benefit of the blockheads opposite..."

• "If the dummies opposite will just shut up"

• "These dummies and dimwits"

• "The Opposition crowd could not raffle a chook in a pub"

• "The animals on the other side"