It was classic Mahathir to spin our concerns into a guilt-trip while being conferred an honorary doctorate by UiTM recently. Personally I do not know any Malaysian who feel embarrassed that Malaysia is not a liberal democracy .

To be begin with, I am more embarrassed that our ex-PM choose such a topic when there are more pertinent things to be embarrassed about.

I am more embarrassed by the fact that we are racked and paralysed by racial politics.

I am more embarrassed by the fact that our highest echelon of leaders are hugely unqualified as to suggest controlling prices for VCDs/CDs and housing schemes that do not work.

I am more embarrassed by the fact that we are subsidising companies like Proton, MAS, Bernas etc. to the tune of billions of ringgit and still trying to 'make it'.

I am more embarrassed that after 40 years of the NEP we have poor people in Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and at the same time billionaires in KL indulging in excesses Hollywood would be embarrassed about.

I am more embarrassed that we have empty national schools all over the country and yet each Chinese primary school is bursting at the seams.

I am embarrassed by our graduates that not only they cannot get jobs but do not have the English proficiency of primary school children in China.

I could go on and on but suffice to say, I really do not care whether Malaysia is a liberal democracy or not at this point. If anything, I am not embarrassed that I do not care.