There seems to be a lot of strongly held opinions on the state of the nation and malaysiakini has been a convenient platform for voicing them.

I like a good debate but the average Malaysian today is rather shallow or too fearful of speaking on matters of controversy in public. Even well-educated Malaysians do not have many interests beyond their job, money or family.

All the letters on emigration, politics and government point to one fact; we have not found our identity, purpose and vision.

It seems that we have major bridges to cross judging by the content of mainstream media, malaysiakini and others. I grew up in the 60s and 70s, when we still had world-class institutions, sportsmen and individuals.

Today we have young people chanting the slogan 'Malaysia Boleh' but who rarely have a clue of what they are on about.

The worth of any nation is in its people. I believe the greatest challenge now is for Malaysians to find themselves, to face the realities of the day, to find the moral courage to do the right thing.

Malaysians have shown themselves to be capable of excelling in all fields of endeavour.

The world is rapidly changing and if we don't find our place in it others will do it for us. It's a tremendous task for the country's leaders to accomplish, given the current globalisation trend and the highly competitive world environment.

The best in the world are already working overtime to avoid being sidelined.

Argentina used to be the seventh richest nation in the world, look at them now. We must identify the right core values and have the tenacity to maintain them.

Nothing can be said against being of good character and whether you are in fine robes or rags is not the issue. We have first-class infrastructure, let the world say the same of our people.