I write in response to Zuraidah Kadirun's comments in the letter 'Do the Right Thing ACA'.

Zuraidah has failed to see the reality of Malaysian politics. One, corruption at the top is justified and goes unpunished, but at lower levels it is punished. Because of such double standards, corruption has become so widespread in all sectors, if you were to do business in Malaysia you would no doubt have to grease some palms.

I was blatantly asked for kopi money when I accompanied an American friend to the Second Link for a three-month visa stamp. I tried desperately to lodge a complaint but found all government websites outdated and irrelevant.

Secondly, government servants are subjected to their political masters whether you like it or not. If they push the wrong button, they will simply be transferred out of the posts, as Kuala Lumpur's deputy fire chief Mohd Ali Tambi Chik discovered . So what if Nazri's comments on the inefficiency of the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) reflects the truth. His comments were meant to serve as warning to overzealous investigators into his case.

Thirdly, the ACA is alone and Malaysians are to apathetic to do anything. Malaysians tolerate injustice so as long as it does not affect their rice bowls. Our education system does not teach or foster an environment where the idealistic young are allowed to express their views without fear or favour.

Anwar remains in jail alone and dozens others who have spoken up have either lost their jobs or persecuted. I can name a few of them as I have taken special interest in these the true heroes of Malaysia: Justice Muhammad Hishamuddin, Justice Muhammad Kamil Awang, Raja Ahmad Aminullah.

If our new prime minister is not paying lip service to corruption and graft, he needs to know that it takes more than setting up a regional Anti-Corruption Agency or sacking a few town councillors. The mindset of our elected politicians are self-serving and self-enriching. Unless a total clean up is involved the cancer will continue to grow and flourish.

There are many cases, over the last five years, of individuals, ministers and ex-ministers implicated in corruption and graft allegations. Until a thorough public investigation is done, Malaysians shall remain sceptical of this latest hog-wash.