Many years ago, I heard the story about motorists in another country who automatically reached for their pockets to pull out money when they were stopped by the police there. This regardless whether they were in the wrong or not.

I was appalled and decided to see for myself. I immediately experienced it at that country's airport itself when an immigration officer politely suggested I put money in my passport when I presented it.

That was a dangerous level of corruption and I consoled myself that this was not the case in Malaysia. It is of no surprise that that country is now is a basket case of problems with low foreign investments and a host of economic and social malaises.

But lately here in Malaysia, I have read about false charges, wrongful detention on some pretext and I am worried that Malaysia is going down the same road of corruption. If true, our corruption level has taken on a dangerous new level where no one is safe.

In the past, if you obey all the rules, you were immune to persecution. But to be wrongly accused on some silly pretext is an affront to our safety and dignity. I no longer feel safe or proud to be a Malaysian.