I read the letters from Dr Loo Voon San and Manora with a considerable amount of bemusement. More so because of their in-your-face statement that racism is endemic in Malaysia.

I hate to pour cold water on their strongly-held views, but the fact of the matter is that racism is alive and well anywhere you care to look - yes, even down in cosmopolitan, meritocratic Singapore. Of course, one can write volumes about racism in the good old USA or even in idyllic Australia.

But strangely, few wants to write about their racial problems. At the end of the day, Malaysians get as good a government as they elect into power. If they, in their collective wisdom, choose to vote in racist politicians, sycophants and corrupt, get-rich-quick individuals, then they only have themselves to blame. Blame too the opposition parties who, (a) cannot get their act together; (b) agree on a common agenda and platform and (c) sell their views and agendas to the Malaysian voters.

One would question why, for instance, Dr Loo chose to take the racist remarks so passively. Was he afraid to lodge a complaint? Has he been intimidated in any way by the powers-that-be? Or has he chosen the easy way out - to look at Malaysia as a place to make money and then to retire contentedly to Australia, Canada or wherever?

The same too for Manora? Why carp and condemn from the sidelines? If you believe passionately in your cause (that Malaysia is racist through and through), there are plenty of opportunities to make your voice and views heard. Or maybe Manora is another proponent of passive resentment and a proponent of the view that the cards are all stacked against non-Malays and non-bumiputeras in Malaysia.

I would venture to suggest that Malaysians, by and large, are not inherently racist in their views and behaviour. Not anymore than anywhere else in the world. But if Malaysians cannot be bothered to become politically conscious, and if they don't seize every opportunity available in this wired-up era to get their views heard, then the complaints and condemnations will continue to grow.