I refer to the malaysiakini report EU envoy summoned to explain NEP criticism .

South Africa would still continue to practice apartheid if the international community had taken heed of our deputy prime minister's advice that outside parties should 'not meddle in the affairs and domestic policies of the country'.

Yet it was pressure from the international community which viewed apartheid with such revulsion that eventually led to the downfall and dismantling of South Africa's racist policies.

Yet, in the same breath, it was business as usual for our DPM and the prime minister himself to offer unsolicited advice as to how southern Thailand should be governed in order to quell the daily violence. Not only was advice given unsparingly but it was open government policy to provide sanctuary for Muslim militants who seem to have unhindered access across Malaysian borders.

Our leaders are always in a denial mode whenever here are legitimate criticisms levelled at our government or our policies. At the same time, they feel they have a divine right to pinpoint the inadequacies of other less unfortunate countries.

Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein Onn should learn to control his temperament and avoid making foolish statements that foreigners should not interfere in our country's business without first knowing its history.

In this globalised, flat world that we are living in now, no country can live in isolation. This borderless world will continue to invite criticisms if policies and governance are not in accordance with norms.

Dr Thierry Rommel's criticism of the NEP as head of the European Commission delegation represents a unique departure from standard protocol. Instead of pretending that the criticisms are without merit, our leaders should focus on examining the virtues and vices of the NEP in its present form.

If need be, there should be appropriate adjustments and a revamp so that the international community will not view it as a discriminatory policy expressly for serving the purpose of only one race.