I am 61 years old. I have lived through World War II and saw everything, right from the independence of Malaya.

One man I respect is Lim Kit Siang, for being a brave politician who dares to speak out.

It seems like everyone has forgotten the infamous Bank Bumiputra case. Kit Siang was the first politician who exposed the fraud in the government.

People also forget cases like that of the imprisoned Abdullah Ang who could leave the jailhouse every day and even have a few other "privileges". Then there's the jailing a defender of a minor who was raped and an IGP behaving like a gangster, a cowardly one, I must say. All these happened under the rule of Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Some notable and innocent civil servants were replaced or transferred just because they were not yes-men/women.

Politicians like Mahathir know that people have short memories, with many, especially the less-educated, not even understanding the issues. Now there emerges a new generation of intelligent and caring people, but being young, so Mahathir says, they should leave politics to the old folks, since what do youngsters know?

The Mahathir of 10 years ago whom I truly admired and who made me feel proud that Malaysia has such a brave and intelligent prime minister no longer exists. The real Mahathir which our beloved founder, Tunku Abdul Rahman could see through, has surfaced now. I used to be very sad to see the Tunku interfering with democratic rights as if he owns the country, but we can see a prime minister ruling the country just like that, right before our eyes.

Greed is the culprit. Yet there is no need for it as Malaysia is so unique and blessed with so many natural resources. I wonder when will we learn truly to live in God's given paradise and not destroy it year after year with politics that is obviously benefiting a few and not the whole nation.

In Southeast Asia, only Singapore has the cleanest government. It starts by giving employees the right salary. If employees are treated fairly, well paid and well taken care of, they will do their job accordingly or out they go. It is simple common sense. So I am suggesting that all ministers be paid very well, equivalent to the salaries in Singapore.

As a Malaysian of Chinese origin, I used to criticise my "countrymen" for their selfish and sitting-on-the-fence attitudes - overseas Chinese all over the world are truly selfish. I said, Malaysia is special to us for we are the only overseas Chinese that have the greatest say on how our country ought to be run all over the world, barring Chinese-based countries, so we have an obligation to be totally loyal to Malaysia. But the Chinese, as we all know, are business-minded and as long as they can gain advantage from whatever situation, including getting favours from giving kickbacks, it is okay to them.

I wonder why Mahathir cannot see that ordinary small- and medium-sized companies are not really enjoying the so-called fruits of the considerable progress he has contributed to the country?

The current malaise is not about Anwar Ibrahim. It is about an obvious dictatorship at work and how we, citizens, are being continuously belittled as "less intelligent".

This brand of politics may work in the past, when the majority of the population are uneducated and simple-minded, but now we are well-educated and eager to meet the challenge to improve ourselves further.

When will our elected politicians ever behave and act sincerely for the country and not be so glaringly thick-skinned year after year with regard to their waning popularity and competency?

I write with total sincerity and honesty. I do not say past leaders are better but certainly the present is the worst I have seen since Independence day. I feel sad that Kit Siang lost out in the last general elections, but perhaps he asked for it, for being too confident of the selfish Chinese voters.

I only hope politicians will stop using race and religion to their political advantage. I wish to commend the university students, especially the Malays, for their attentiveness to what's happening today in the political scene, and I advise the Chinese, Indians and other races in the campus to show true Malaysian caring attitude and not leave the struggle for justice to one race.

We old folks, good or bad, are nearing the end, but your future and that of your future loved ones are at stake, so do not be like us.