The entire nation is apparently full of grief due to the departure of Dr Mahathir Mohamad but is that the real picture or is that the picture cleverly engineered by the mass media who have no choice but to join in the chorus.

I will not insult the intelligence of those who have kept BN and therefore Dr M in power all these while. But in the same manner, there is a sizeable percentage who did not vote for BN and Dr M, but due to our 'first past the post' system adopted in Malaysia, we are conveniently ignored as the voice of the minority.

In fact many of the leaders of the current BN parties were not even elected by their own members. In this matter, I think Pelita Negara spoke for many of us in his/her letter .

I also do not wish to take away the many successes of Dr M - for example, being far-sighted enough to allow e-mails and internet development for which now I can write in to malaysiakini to have my voice heard.

He has also been instrumental in allowing many of us enjoy the fruits of our country development, albeit in pennies when the top brass have swiped the whole piggy bank.

I do not think anyone need to remind anyone else of his achievements and successes. They are well documented everywhere you turn.

I wish to highlight the following which I believe should also be remembered as well as the defects of Dr Mahathir:

• The systematic and sure erosion of our fundamental liberties, via draconian law and erosion of the power of judiciary to act as checks and balances.

I am sure many of us are really proud of our Dr M and many of are not. Only history will prove which side is correct. Thank you Dr M for retiring and giving Malaysia another chance.