I refer to your reports Dr M: Currency peg should be reviewed , Abdullah, Bank Negara rebuffs Mahathir over ringgit peg to dollar and Speculators bet M'sia will change currency peg to dollar .

I think there is a need for Malaysians of different views on the currency peg to publicly debate the issue without fear or favour because the final decision will affect the well-being of all of us from the humble hawker in the street to the top public servant.

We should not have a prejudice against the proposal by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad just because it was he who first imposed the currency peg in 1998. Economic and financial management are not an immutable religious dogma or heavenly truths.

Economic or financial policies must be flexible to cope with changing circumstances or we may lose out in the competitive global and regional markets.

Although we may have some criticisms against Mahathir's style of political leadership, I think he is a slightly better strategist in economic and financial matters. Better than his relatively inexperienced and indecisive successor, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Mahathir is truly a thinker while Abdullah is merely Mahathir-groomed. It is time for the unimaginative doer listen to the master strategic thinker on matters of high finance and high politics.

For Abdullah to fear 'losing face' for following Mahathir's advice is not worthy of a leader who is entrusted to ensure the general well-being of all citizens and taxpayers. National interest and public well-being are more important than 'saving the face' of the prime minister.