After two hours of imploring his followers to abandon Third-World mentality, it was almost humourous to see Mahathir turn on his vintage Third-World leadership style just to get a further 'mandate'. The orchestrated outpouring of love and affection reminds one of the modus operandi of the late President Kim Il Sung of North Korea.

Speaking of Korea, there have been many letters to the editor in the mainstream press beseeching Malaysians to take after the example of the national unity and pride shown by the South Koreans during the recent World Cup competition.

Need we remind ourselves that the South Koreans are a people who have always shown courage in their unremitting pursuit of justice? They brought their ex-president to court tied up in ropes, reinvestigated governmental abuses that had led to massacres of innocent people, and arrested the son of their serving president on allegations of corruption.

Seems to me one would have to have such courage first before we can dream of boleh (can do) the impossible. Otherwise, just dream on until the bubble burst — as in North Korea today.