It is unbecoming of the leader of any nation to be as arrogant as ours is. To rap the diplomats of Indonesia and Singapore for attending a briefing on Anwar Ibrahim's medical condition displays the sheer arrogance of a feudal lord of old.

We Malaysians kowtow to him like peasants to their feudal lord (with some literally kissing his extended hand). Thus, we elevate the man and now he thinks even our neighbouring countries should be subjected to his dictates. Chooi Chooi Kong is so right in her letter of April 3 ([#1] 'Loyal' subjects see, hear and say no evil[/#] ). Neighbours who see and hear evil being committed has an obligation to say so.

The mere attendance of a briefing does not mean that foreign diplomats are necessarily taking sides. Only paranoid people think so. Listening to what people have to say for themselves is essential to the search for fairness and truth. But what do we expect from a person who exerts control over the press?

Information is what he allows Malaysians to know, that is, only his side of the story. Kudos to the 951 local journalists who put their signatures to the petition for press freedom. I salute you. Your action shows that there is yet hope for the mainstream press. You do your nation proud. No one can silence us but ourselves.