I am sorry to read of Farish Noor's decision to stop writing although I respect it. I am extremely proud that in our midst stands a citizen who is true to intellectual honesty. Malaysia needs more sons and daughters who will emulate his character. I hope, at an appropriate time, he will review his position.

It is easy to be disheartened by the lack of change, but we should perhaps take heart that apartheid took almost half a century to dismantle, and that was just the period of institutionalised racism.

Who can guess how many hundred years of oppression and injustice was perpetrated upon Africans both in Africa and elsewhere (particularly the United States)?

Just think of the rallying cry of the American Civil Rights Movement, "We shall overcome (someday)". Do not fault the average Malaysian for they have been traumatised and lied to for almost half a century - they are as much the pawns and victims of the wicked system that others are now seeking to reform.

The average Malaysian sees PAS as a retrogressive choice, the DAP as lacking credibility combined with the hallmarks of a potential dictatorship that makes Umno look like Nelson Mandela's party, the African National Congress.

To the average cynical Malaysian, Keadilan is an opportunistic party. It is o­nly a matter of time before all's forgiven and forgotten ( a la Semangat 46) and it's 'let the good times roll again'. Many believe that Anwar Ibrahim's fallout with Mahathir was all about power and wealth.

Frankly, given the lack of civic consciousness and the deafening apathy towards the importance of democracy, freedom and human rights, even amongst the educated elite and middle class, transformation will find it difficult to take place within the next decade.

Moreover, it can o­nly take place when the majority, the bumiputras, in concert with the other communities embrace values of freedom, democracy and fair play.

Bumiputras theoretically have the numbers to bring about change. This privilege however, does not lie with the other communities who, since May 1969, have learnt the hard way that political change is not theirs to champion.

Meanwhile, disenchanted Malaysians have two options. Take a long-term view and work for the inevitable change, however long this may take, or vote with their feet. Sadly many have opted for the latter as it is not easy to be optimistic when there is no light at the end of the tunnel.