Many foreigners appear to be easily misled, nay confused, especially when it comes to them trying to fathom the goings-on in Malaysia. A peek at Malaysia's mainstream media would swiftly tell you that these foreigners, already looking like inane aliens from outer space, don't have a clue at all about Malaysia's latest political and social developments, let alone its current gloomy-like weather.

So it is only to be expected that when Indonesia's People's Consultative Assembly chairperson, Amien Rais, a foreigner in his own right, categorically denounced the Malaysian government's treatment of former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim as uncivilised, Malaysia's Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar, hit the ceiling, so to speak, insisting that, first, Amien did not understand the "Asean spirit of non-interference in the internal affairs of a member country" and, second, his statement was inaccurate, offensive, and also indicative of someone "ignorant of the system of justice in our country" ( NST , May 19).

Of course, such an alien criticism would easily provoke a response of a patriotic stripe. And so it was the case of former seasoned journalist Zainuddin Maidin, now a senator, who strongly recommended to Amien to look into Indonesia's own problems of poverty, social injustice and neo-colonialism - instead of making smart remarks on the "state of democracy and human rights in other countries" ( NST , May 20), particularly Malaysia.

Surely these two local personalities, whose public comments have often stirred national concern, knew what they're saying, and stating so in the most confident manner possible. For, otherwise, you would have read a frantic response from Amien himself in the mainstream media.

Or, at the very least, Malaysia's mainstream media, not content with mere press releases and passing comments from local VIPs, would have found it necessary, if not justifiable, to steadfastly seek Amien in neighbouring Indonesia for further clarification. Indeed, Amien is blur about the Malaysian, if not Asian, way of handling matters of public interest and concern such as the incarceration of the ousted Anwar.

Let's be clear here: To accuse someone of being misled is as confrontational as it is patronising, which is a stark contrast to stating that one merely disagrees with someone. The former stance not only suggests that one is confident, cocky even, but also willing to confront someone depicted as confused and silly.

But then, Malaysians, like the two public figures above, are supposed to be cocksure and made of sterner stuff. After all, weren't the influence and charisma of certain politicians and the solid resolve of ordinary Malaysians to scale greater heights that made it possible for a group of Malaysians, for instance, to reach the Mount Everest? Were it not Malaysians who managed to make that celebrated jump near the South Pole (or was it the North Pole)? Having said that, though, there are a number of Malaysians who tend to pick up the bad habits of many other misguided foreigners, and consequently become just as gullible.

Take, for example, the ruling Gerakan party's international affairs bureau chairperson, Dr. S. Vijayaratnam. He recently condemned the coup attempt in Fiji where its prime minister was held hostage. His indignation was further accentuated as reflected in the following, "Although some may deem it as an internal matter of Fiji, as members of the Commonwealth, we cannot help but be concerned ( New Straits Times , May 21)".

Clearly what this means is that people like Vijayaratnam shouldn't be easily swayed or disturbed by events elsewhere even though the very principles of justice, democracy, freedom, and fair play have been patently violated, especially in countries you'd consider belonging to a community of friends. Lest we forget, the sacred Asean principle of non-interference must override all these other considerations. There's a need, in other words, to have - to use a cyber parlance - a kind of diplomatic firewall.

So we're expected to be an impassioned witness to actions taken by the regime of the country concerned that is likely to destroy, for example, its democratic institutions. Thus, if, say, its home ministry threatens to take very harsh measures against holders of publishing permits, so be it. (Incidentally, if you haven't noticed, there are countries that legally require a publisher to apply for a publishing permit before coming out with publications.)

And, if certain publishing permits have been revoked by the authorities because the publications concerned were known to have been critical of the government of the day, so, as the defunct Beatles used to say, let it be. For as a sovereign nation, it has that freedom to do so, and we Malaysians have no business poking our noses into other people's domestic affairs.

If anything, foreigners, especially those easily misinformed, should look up to Malaysia for guidance - and not make the country as a butt of criticisms and jokes. Why, isn't it Malaysia that had managed to build the tallest building, the longest bridge, the biggest cake, and the first country to introduce the smartcard? Yes, we also have democracy that is custom-made to the socio-cultural and political needs of multicultural Malaysia. And, don't we have a functioning press, the judiciary, among others, to flaunt?

In fact, as a Sunday Star columnist implied recently, the political playing field in Malaysia can be quite the same for all. He said this in reference to a directive made by Entrepreneur Development Minister Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz that priority for Mara's educational loans should be given to ruling (BN) party supporters.

He begged to differ with the minister concerned because of the built-in bias and unfairness in that directive, a stand that, as the writer gladly reminded us, obviously contradicted with Prime Minister Mahathir's view. (Of course, we're not insinuating here that the erudite writer would have changed his position on this matter had Mahathir, hypothetically, concurred with Nazri's sentiment.)

To reiterate, only those who are misguided are likely to fall into the trap of believing that, for instance, Malaysia's mainstream media very seldom, if at all, provide space for dissenting views particularly during an election campaign. A cursory observation of the forthcoming Teluk Kemang by-election media coverage, for example, would be able to convince you to think otherwise. At the very least, believe me you, the media would have made public the names of the opposition candidates for this electoral contest.

It is in this light that I feel the deep concern harboured by a former seasoned journalist, Zainah Anwar, is not only inappropriate but also misplaced. She contended that there were slavishly pro-government editors in Malaysia who worked themselves silly only to be given the boot at the end of the day.

"Wouldn't it be more satisfying," she wondered persuasively, "not to say dignifying, at least, to stand up for your principles, challenge and question authority, be creative and smart in treading the political minefield, so that at least when you finally lose your job, you can walk away with some dignity, knowing that the price you pay is worth the effort?" ([#1] malaysiakini [/#], May 20)

Is Zainah suggesting that the present crop of local journalists, particularly the editors, lacks credibility and dignity? Isn't she aware that that kind of remark would only give a painfully wrong idea to foreigners of our local scribes and the media system as a whole? But then, come to think of it, these foreigners wouldn't be able to really understand us anyway. Besides, we don't need to layan these alien busybodies, do we?