Dr Mahathir Mohamad must have a poor memory or he simply thinks Malaysians have memories that fade off over a short period of time. Calling Malaysia a police state is indeed something that'll send any Malaysian rolling with cynical laughter. It was obviously a police state during his 22 years of power. It was a police state when citizens were imprisoned for simply voicing out problems and concerns of discrimination as well as marginalisation of the poor and illiterate.

In my short tenure as a news journalist, I know how editors have been called to the prime minister's department to 'sort out' news that can or cannot be reported. As a caring Malaysian, I have seen how peaceful assemblies to voice out against discrimination and neglect (a last resort taken by Malaysians after letters requesting for a meeting with the PM or other were rejected) were greeted with FRU officers who treated the rakyat as "terrorists". The FRU was protecting the politicians rather than serving the citizens. The FRU used batons and tear gas to 'shoo' away the marginalised Malaysians.

I have seen how, after long years of struggle, press releases and endless letters to ministers including to the prime minister, electricity was still not supplied to a 'kampong' in Kedah (one case, which is only a tip of the iceberg).

I have seen how the economic policies have divided the races and instilled fear rather than respect. I have seen how Malaysians were converted into gullible consumers who value material possessions rather than values until corruption is part of everyday life. Tun himself admitted during the end of his tenure that corruption has mushroomed and the very Malays he tried to empower (with his economic policies) are now adversely affected.

I have come to observe that Tun's open criticism of Pak Lah has been personal and on issues personal to him, nothing of national interest. Tun picked on issues that serve him and his affiliates. What about the neglected estate workers who have been living on meagre salaries for generations while the multinationals were (and are) enjoying mega bucks?

What about the tobacco farmers whose leaves are of poorer quality but the tobacco industry still sings their importance just so to maintain their market share.

Where is your honesty, Tun? You never maintained it during your tenure and the press are freer now compared to your time. They can openly voice out on issues and finally there seems a light for investigative journalism. There are no longer threats of a recurrence of May 13 like you issued before just to make thinking Malaysians shut up.

It is also a breeze reading the newspapers nowadays as the face of the prime minister is not the cover model any more.

Tun, please stop being the pot calling the kettle black. Let Pak Lah lead. After all, he is leading the pack that you put on the platter for him. Meanwhile, allow the rest of us to be the judge.