With reference to criticisms made towards Dr Mahathir Mohamad, maybe we are overlooking the meaning of leadership and responsibility enshrined in the constitution. What is the difference between human rights, societal rights and institutional rights? Which is to be subdued in a conflicting situation?

Is a prime minister, carrying out the responsibility of protecting and leading the country in all aspects of development, supposed to be shackled by opposition either from political opponents or nave individuals, especially those using the false pretext of human rights, who don't understand the complex nature of leadership?

Then why are there laws for national security? Why are there Emergency powers, the ISA, OSA, parliamentary immunity and so on? They are there because scholars have sat down and studied the need for them in view of the highly complex and challenging responsibility of leaders charged with the responsibility of protecting the country.

Just because these laws can also be abused by false leaders, does not make it these laws illegal or wrong.

Decisions have to be taken, often in difficult times, and being able to satisfy all concerned may be impossible. Therefore society has to be considered over individuals. This is not a violation of human rights.

Dr M has brought Malaysia to such great heights not because he took over an already developed country but by redirecting the affairs of the country through his visions and effort. The Malaysian economy has multiplied during his tenure and this could not have been possible without mistakes while leading.

All the mega-projects and elaborate infrastructure brought in billions in foreign investments, created millions of jobs and also gave us a sense of dignity that all Malaysians enjoy as being equal to any developed country. Much money was lost in certain unforeseen circumstances but we forget all the money that was saved by the pegging of the ringgit which could have ruined our economy.

Hundreds of billions were saved, hundreds of billions were earned, dignity was raised. No doubt tens of billions were also lost while he and his deputies overlooked some aspects but can we conclude that he is corrupted, a destroyer of justice, a media predator and so on?

He is not perfect but Dr M has done more for this country that any of us. Yet many criticise him.

Either we educate the people to be intelligent voters so that we do not go on giving the mandate to unqualified leaders to ruin our country or we appreciate our leaders and require the next leaders to take Malaysia to greater heights by correcting those areas still not addressed by the previous leadership like corruption.

Let us be polite and respectful to all our leaders, past and present.

If there are issues that need to be addressed, then let us put our questions to them with respect. If they openly reject or suppress us instead of clarifying the complex nature of their decisions, then let us get referendums or surveys done so that people will not vote unintelligently in the future.

True democracy is not brought about by leaders only, but by the masses who have an equally great power to vote but we may not have used it intelligently.