While I deplore some of Keadilan Youth chief Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor's past activities, such as meeting with some extreme right-wing personalities from the United States, I'm nevertheless appalled that he would be arrested over some remarks published by the disreputable Mingguan Malaysia . If the police are going to arrest people on the basis of "mainstream" media reports, then it might not be long before every opposition leader is put behind bars.

Both the arrest and the four-day detention ordered by the judge reflect badly on the state of democracy in the country. When the law is made to serve the interest of any political party, all respect for it is undermined.

Ironically, Ezam's arrest can only increase the people's desire for a change in government - the very thing that the present ruling clique hopes to forestall.