I refer to LCH's comment that Malaysian government's argument on its water woes with Singapore lack substance, harking back to the 'I am entitled to this and I am entitled to that' mentality.

I would like to add that, whenever there is a spat with Singapore, the Malaysian government and some of its public always cries: 'you are arrogant and had hurt our feeling therefore your must apologise for this and that'

How on earth is it possible to develop constructive ties with our northern neighbour when it seems to them that only Singapore is at fault and they are the suffering angels?

The water spat is more than skin deep. One wonders why the spat has emerged this time, considering the booklet was published by Singapore three months ago. All I can gather is that this is a wayang kulit (shadow play) show by Umno politicians getting ready for power struggle in the post-Mahathir era.

For those who think that Mahathir is going to fade away, they better have their head examined. From the bashing of Europeans to the renewal of the water spat with Singapore, he is subtly telling his deputy to toe the line and not to deviate from the policies set during his era.

In the end, the real person who controls the country may still be Dr M acting like an Empress Dowager presiding over the young emperor. So why bother to spend the taxpayer's money advertising in the Asian Wall Street Journal ? Is the advertisement going to convince the AWSJ readers? Pity the ordinary folks who are led to run rings around the circle drawn by their country's politicians.

For those who think that Singapore should apologise for the spat, please have the moral courage to read the Singaporean version before making judgement. Please do not behave like the chicken-hearted Malaysian press who will never publish rebuttal letters sent by the Singaporean government.

With no avenue to air our views, we have resorted to our own booklet for the public to examine and scrutinise the facts.

There has been a whole horde of problems faced by the Malaysian government - rise in murder crimes, unsolved corruption cases, splitting of Malay votes, unhappiness among non-bumiputeras over the lack of tertiary opportunities, the building of the controversial incinerator plant and many more.

The heat is definitely on for the ruling party which is facing an uncertain future in the forthcoming election. The best bet is still to sacrifice its countrymen's goodwill with others by spinning stories to whip up nationalistic fervour.