Coming back from my travels around the world, I can say that people everywhere, especially in Third World countries, are full of praise and admiration for Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. It shocks and saddens me to see how ungrateful Malaysians are. We have with us, a national icon, a man who selflessly and tirelessly dedicated 22 years of his life to what he thought was best for this country.

Now we are tearing him apart, insulting and ridiculing him. Look at the development around us, the skyscrapers, the highways, the monorails, the LRT, the office buildings, the residential areas and the small towns mushrooming everywhere.

We are where we are today because of Tun Mahathir. Other Asian and Third World countries envy us and tells me how lucky we are to have such a brilliant and foresighted leader who cares for his people. An Indonesian man told me, 'Orang Melayu memang mudah lupa, kalau tak bisa sama Pak Mahathir, serahkan saja pada kami!' An American professor who met Dr M told me, 'He is a political genius born too far ahead of his time, one of the exceptional living leaders of all time'.

Tun Mahathir instilled the most important things in all Malaysians - our national pride and confidence. He brought 'soul' to our country with his aggressive and dynamic leadership. He taught us never to bow to anyone and to have the 'Malaysia Boleh' attitude. He was very passionate about a Malaysian 'first' in everything from commerce to business to sports.

It was during his legacy that I (now 41) and many other Malaysians became proud to be a Malaysian. When Tun was in power, he was the pulse of the nation. Malaysia was alive. People were inspired. He was a high achiever and demanded only the best.

Yes, he was also controversial, a hard critic of Western double standards, never mincing his words. Yet, they all couldn't help but admire and respect him. At his last Asean meeting in Jakarta, President Megawati and President Aroyyo wept, knowing the region, too, would lose a great leader.

And what is happening in our country today? He is being shot down by the very people that he brought up. What disgust me the most is that not one Malay leader has come to his defence. His former cabinet that once worshiped him has now abandoned him. Their standard reply is , 'We gave our support to Tun as PM before and now we give our support to Pak Lah who is the PM now'.

Where is their conscience and integrity? It is scary indeed. We probably should bring back Umno veterans like Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and Tun Musa Hitam. At least, these people still have principles.

It is so sad that Malaysians can't value a living treasure. Is it so difficult to believe that there exist among the Malays a true patriot whose aim in life is to do what is best for his country, a Malay who is sincere and incorruptible? Look at the man himself. What has he got to achieve this late in his life now by doing what he is doing today?

A crook and a tyrant would never give up his power especially when he is at the pinnacle. If Tun had other agendas, why didn't he remain as senior minister, or place his sons in prominent Umno positions to secure himself? At that time, those cowardly Umno members would kiss his ass for anything.

If Tun was ever corrupt or abused his powers for his own personal self, he would not even dare open the can of worms everyone is saying he now has. After 22 years, don't you think they would have crawled out by now? Common sense tells you that if he was ever corrupt during his time, he would not dare speak out so boldly against his successor knowing full well the government of the day holds all his records.

He speaks without fear or favour against corruption and abuse of power like one completely incapable of doing it. Because he is.

Once upon a time I was proud to be a Malay and a Malaysian. Now, I bow my head in shame. Tun Mahathir, please bring back our dignity.