I agree with Ashamed Malaysian who wrote the letter Thought-policing makes sickly societies . However, I am not surprised Malaysian authorities take the attitude that just simply because they are in leadership positions, whatever they utter should be taken as words of wisdom and perhaps law.

The writer wrote about the Universiti Sains Malaysia experience. I would like to point out that the Akujanji (Good conduct) pledge enforced on all public universities is another concept that will not make one university the 'East Harvard' as wished by one academic!

Malaysian leaders are so afraid of public dissent and challenge that they resort to all sorts of mundane and trivial (read: childish) ways to stay in power and curtail opposition. Literally, any public discussion of any issues is now monitored and practically banned.

Try testing this hypothesis and you will have the company of a special branch officer, if you don't end up in Kamunting. Our system encourages citizens to be robots and never one of questioning minds, otherwise, we would allow more freedom of expression.

Another good example is mainstream newspaper editors getting the boot, not because of incompetence but their failure to pay adequate idiolatry and tribute to the leaders. The Malaysian leaders seem to be afraid of their own shadows, and Malaysian voters acquiesce.