Many things have been said about the movie Avatar. The movie's costly special effects, contemporary political references such as the "fight terror with terror" battle-cry and imbedded environmental message sparked off numerous debates around the world involving a seemingly endless list of parallels and perspectives.

Generally, people have argued about Avatar topics such as modern film-making, big budgets and even whether those 3D glasses spoil your eyes. Those with small bladders have complained about the movie's length while others wonder how many times they've been asked the question "Have you seen Avatar yet?"

China has contributed by drawing parallels between the hurt of the Na'vi people in the movie who try to protect their homeland from mining developers and the often violent forced evictions of people in China by real estate developers.

In America, the so-called Hindu statesman Rajan Zed reportedly released a statement in Nevada calling for a more sensitive usage of Hindu concepts such as avatar which apparently is one of the central themes of Hinduism.

Sadly, it has now come to Malaysia's turn.

Not one to be left out of any discussion, one man at home has waded into the debate by offering his own perspective.

In a speech given last week, former Prime Minister Tun Mahathir said, in respect of the 9-11 terrorist attack, that he was "not sure now that Muslim terrorists carried out these attacks."

The medical doctor and Prime Minister of Malaysia for 22 years then went on to add that "there is strong evidence that the attacks were staged. If they can make 'Avatar', they can make anything."

Oh dear. You cannot be serious.

How would we feel if someone suggested that the collapse of the Highland Towers was actually staged for some political mileage?

Every time the Tun speaks, the word Malaysia invariably comes before or after his name and this country's people then become implicated too.

Dear Tun, times are hard. We are trying to bring tourists into the country and not drive them away by displaying our ignorance and complete disrespect for the 3,000 or so people that died on that fateful day.

Truth be told, I was so upset with Mahathir's statement that I immediately wanted to go on Facebook and become his friend just so that I could super poke him with a karate chop and then throw a sheep at him. I also wanted to tweet my disapproval about his statement on Twitter.

On my way to doing all these things, I stumbled upon the wisdom of Rais Yatim and stopped cold in my tracks.

Our Information Communication and Culture Minister opened his mouth last week and said that Malaysians, especially Muslims, must avoid being totally immersed in the internet culture, especially Facebook and Twitter. He went on to say that "we must be strong in our beliefs and culture because the identity and image of our country depends on us."

Oh dear. You cannot be serious. How immersed should we be? Knee-deep?

Mr. Minister, your farcical "cakap orang puteh" rant against a local journalist for having the temerity to ask you a question in English and not in Bahasa Malaysia has done more to damage the image of this country that any Tweet or Facebook entry. At last count, more than 50, 000 people have viewed your exploits on YouTube.

Oh, I'm sorry if I wasn't supposed to immerse myself in YouTube.

Also, would you care to have a word with your mentor and good friend Mahathir about how the image of our country depends on us?

Further, how about running a varied Google search on Malaysia? You are bound to find many things that damage our country's image which has got nothing to do with Twitter or Facebook. The list is endless and it runs from beer, caning, churches and cow's heads to jet engines, coroner's inquests and a word that cannot be used.

Speaking of words that cannot be used, it would seem that the Malaysian Government filed the notice of appeal against the decision of the High Court at the office of the de facto Minister for Law Nazri Aziz instead of at the Court of Appeal registry.

There simply can be no other explanation for why Nazri has come out with a plethora of comments against the High Court and also seemingly varied the High Court's decision to say that the word can be used but only in Sabah, Sarawak and Penang.

So in essence, a Sabahan who is allowed to use the word in Sabah cannot do so if he or she travels to Selangor.

Oh dear. You cannot be serious.

Also, Mr. Minister, thank you for pointing out the existence of state laws banning the word but how about appreciating the exact nature of the Herald's challenge against the Government's decision and very quickly after that having a read of the supreme provisions of Articles 3(1), 11(1) and 11(3). That would be the articles of the often ignored document called the Federal Constitution.

Nazri also alluded to the failed dialogue between the parties prior to the matter being brought to court.

Discussions, dialogues and negotiations are perfectly fine if we are talking about increasing petrol prices or charging RM50 per credit card but can matters of religion and fundamental rights be the subject of a "rundingan"?

If you give up this fundamental freedom, I give you this piece of pie. If you stop using this word, I make sure applications for Church permits are processed quicker.

These are not bartering matters. At the end of the day, the crux should be this. The only credible concern over the use of the word is the possibility that the word may be used in an insulting manner. Well, then charge those who do so and leave alone those who use the word respectfully.

Honestly, this ludicrous state of affairs has gone on for far too long. Unless stopped, more members will join the above three inductees of the Malaysian Comedy Club and the damage to Malaysia's image would then be irreversible.

It is a terrible shame that stupidity does not cause pain. (By DAVID D. MATHEW/MySinchew)