I was so glad to note Amir Hamzah Amha's letter stating a fact that must have been conveyed to him personally by Anwar Ibrahim about his acceptance of local medical expertise since we, the general public, are not aware of such leap of faith.

It must be noted however, that I didn't do any 'western-bashing' in my letter . What I would like to bash is the reflexive notion that West is best. What makes you think that I was not hurt by the 'example' given by our prime minister's wife? That is a classic.

The way our successive governments manage to force brain drain in health sector by under- rewarding our tireless doctors, then just fly abroad when they need medical care. Believe me, that issue is another long letter waiting to be written.

But I digress. The issue here is between a free person and a prisoner, convicted by a court. Moral issues notwithstanding, imagine the precedent that would set. I can see Eric Chia, if convicted, having some vague pain that would probably need overseas medical attention too.

Just maybe, the treatment might take 10 years to complete in some 'complementary and alternative health treatment centre' near the Swiss Alps.

Amir talked about trust, how Anwar does not doubt the competency of local doctors but that somehow these local doctors can't be trusted with his life.

Now, I don't know which is a bigger insult. Personally I'd rather be incompetent rather than be untrustworthy. Then again, one has to be a medical doctor to understand that concept.