Having read the spate of letters on how the 'grass is greener on the other side', I hasten to add my views, lest there are intending or impending immigrants hoping to find greener pastures, only to find weeds and thorns in their own patch.

I feel qualified to comment on the subject, having worked and lived in Australia for a good part of my life. Though racial discrimination is not institutionalised there or in Canada, for those wishing to switch allegiance, be forewarned there are 'glass ceilings' and 'road blocks'. No country is entire free of race biases.

I would not argue that many lives have been enriched with immigration, but much less is reported in your media about the frustrations of ex-Malaysians (now Australians or Canadians) who have given up their cushy professional jobs only to end up with less challenging jobs such as manual labour or driving taxis. I am not disparaging these occupations, which are honest living, but to make the point that in the immigration game, you can be still a second class citizen. It is moot point whether you have better second class privileges in Malaysia or in greener pastures.

For an additional illuminating point, just pick up any annual company report in Australia or Canada and look at the composition of their boards in terms of racial origins and you will better understand my assertions. At least in Malaysia, you may have a chance in making it in the business or corporate circles.

In Australia, biases towards the wasp (White Anglo Saxon Protestant) culture is undeniably something you have to live with. View television news and seek out the Asian faces - you will find none except for SBS (an ethnic TV station).

Sure, the changing demographics in Australia may one day see more Asian faces in parliament, but the fact remains that non-wasps remain subjugated by wasps. Yet, this is only if you are willing to sell or trade off your cultural traits. You could potentially become a honorary wasp. I have not even discussed about the discriminations against Muslims, or those perceived to be Muslims based on their outward appearances, whether on trains or public places.

As commented by SS Choy, immigrants should not entirely forget that life in Malaysia have indeed better prepared them for the hard knocks elsewhere. Taking a Machiavellian view, it is some consolation that we are a better lot than many in the neighbouring countries.

For those who argue that Malaysia could have remain on its growth projectile without protagonists like Dr Mahathir, look again at some of our northern Asean neighbours - especially Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos - and tell us whether we could have enjoy the current level of prosperity without someone like Dr Mahathir.

I am not advocating that we resign ourselves to the status quo. Like many writers before me, I know it would take a lot of change in Malaysia before we attain racial parity. But not if we remain in our armchairs, not be part of the political process, where we can at best whine or whinge. The election is around the corner; it is our best chance for start initiating the changes.