Monaco is Islamic Fashion Capital of the world.

When news that a by-election is going to be held, the UMNO president wasn't around in Malaysia. He was possibly in Brussels. Or probably in Monaco partaking in glitz of the IFF- Islamic Fashion Festival. It was a 3 day event.

Reza Shah and Tom Abang Saufi would be parading young and nubile models showcasing what is interpreted as Islamic fashion. Maybe later that night, Reza Shah would be organizing the pocho pocho dance. To Monaco-ise a Malaysian event is now defined as a value added move. It's like getting the seal of HRH the Queen.

Now we know, because of this event- Prince Albert is a friend to the Muslims, so is Evelyn Genta. Even Michelle Yeoh and lover Jean Todt are supporters of Islam. Curiously, we didn't see any Muslim Clerics asked to come along to fatwa-ise the event.

We, the common people are of course bemused why an Islamic event has to be held in Monaco of all places. Certainly Monaco isn't Islamic by any measure. It's a gambling haven. It's that source of place where people like Tony Fernandez, Francis Yeoh and the people who get a kick appearing in Prestige Magazine feel more at home.

Maybe we have a new 1Malaysia-ised definition of what is Islam or isn't. Questionable source of money given by opposition parties is haram. If given by BN or UMNO is halal. So, if the PM says Monaco is Islamic, who are we to dispute his definition?

But please, we the people are not stupid anymore . we too can doa each morning- wa haramun kalau makan sorang, wa halalun kalau konsi berdua.

Finance for the Malaysian participation was provided by the Sarawak government. Tok Uban was there on hand to lend support to a Sarawakian fashionista.

The Sarawak government probably paid all the participating fee of €1000 per head. Maybe more if additional appearance fees for Datin Sri Rosmah who sang was included. Perhaps if you count all those starlets, singers, girlfriends, mistresses and toyboys, the cost would have been more than one million € . It's not every day, a Malaysian 1^st lady gets to sing with Prince Albert of Monaco on stage. It isn't every day, one gets to participate singing 'we are the world' with Prince Albert.

This is another one of those ridiculous ideas of building a bridge that leads to nowhere. How does having a fashion show in Monaco further Malaysia's interests? Why should the Sarawak government finance the €1000 per head event? Maybe the most important outcome of that event was Taib Mahmud getting endorsement from the PM to have another go at leading Sarawak.

One shouldn't expect any decision of serious significance being made amidst the pomp and glitz of such occasion. Yet, no one wanted to spoil the brief respite from political havoc, the PM and his entourage enjoyed there.