I refer to the Malaysiakini article Is Anwar the great reformer? .

I have often enjoyed reading Manjit’s writings. Although I don't find his views particularly insightful, often verging on stating the obvious, his use of combative and pungent language makes for a very interesting and entertaining read.

But like some other writers of an academic bent, Manjit is sometimes guilty of falling in love with his own bathwater. In the article referenced by this letter, Manjit is at his sneering, know-all best, lashing out at all and sundry from his no-doubt privileged perch atop some ivory tower.

I really don't see the point he is trying to make, except to cynically mock those who are looking forward to a long-overdue change in Malaysia.

It is a long, rambling article, but the point he seems to be making is that Anwar Ibrahim will probably be another in a long line of would-be reformers who, once they get into power, become part of the same old furniture.

Well, considering that Manjit would not apparently be satisfied with anything short of a political Shangri-la, he will probably be proven correct in his own mind. Unfortunately, Manjit’s views are rooted in the place he sits - the ivory tower. They apparently do not take into account what are called ground realities.

As I stated earlier, it is a long article and my purpose here is not to get into a point-by-point rebuttal or argument with everything he wrote. But I would like to just talk about one particular passage.

He states: "I've been listening to and reading Anwar's speeches. All I have heard and read so far is rhetoric. Nothing more. There's no substance. Not yet. Perhaps the substance will come. It has to come, lest Anwar too becomes just another of those disingenuous Malaysian politicians from all sides who are good only at making a racket."

Anwar needs broad-based support. Whilst there is now a people-driven momentum gathering pace, as witnessed in Permatang Pauh, he still needs to bank on political crossovers from the BN coalition parties."

I don't know what "substance" Manjit expects out of a politician who is not yet in power. Anwar has repeatedly outlined his vision of what Malaysia would be at ideological, philosophical and social levels should he come into power.

He has also outlined, to the extent possible, an economic vision. I think Malaysians are quite aware of what Anwar is promising at a practical level. So unless Manjit expects Anwar to publish a book outlining all the technical things he would do at both macro and micro level in all fields of governance, I don't see the justification behind his sweeping and unsubstantiated claim that Anwar is just talk.

As for his claim that "there is now a people-driven momentum gathering pace", my only question to Manjit is: Where were you for the last 10 years? This is not a people-driven momentum "gathering pace" - this is a people-driven momentum that has been well underway for a decade.

That is why Manjit has been able to find a Malaysian forum in the form of Malaysiakini to be able to express his views for the last few years.