I read with great interest the views put forth by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad during the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) that was held in Hainan recently.

I find his idea of taxing the rich in order to fund the poor quite noble. Sadly, such nobility expressed in the global arena seems to be mysteriously non-existent back home in Malaysia. So instead of making such proposals on a global scale, may I suggest that he first cleans up his act at home by stopping all ridiculous bailouts of individuals, funding of various useless mega-projects using taxpayers' money and return the control of the national oil corporation back to the people instead of having it under his thumb.

Perhaps the enormous sum of money prevented from going into the pockets of well-connected individuals and the construction of white elephants may then be used to elevate the standards of living of thousands of Malaysians, including those who have no proper access to basic utilities like electricity and water.

After all, of what use is a Vision 2020-styled developed status for Malaysia when tax-paying Malaysians are still subject to such appalling living conditions? I hope in his quest for realising his grand vision, he hasn't missed the forest for the trees.

Besides, improving the quality of life back home will provide him the moral courage, which he sorely lacks these days, to speak up in the global arena without making himself and the entire nation seem like a sick parody.