It is interesting to read Harun's Rashid Worldview, 'Do Malaysian economists lack chicken sense?' (Sept 20). As a layperson, I found the article an eye-opener. However, in the opening statement of the article, he asked the question, what prevents professional economists in Malaysia from calling a spade a spade? My simple answer to him is one word: "fear".

In Malaysia, if one publicly goes against the official tide, the risk is indeed high. You may not only lose your job but maybe your bank account or even your freedom.

If you are unlucky, you may even be branded an anti-national, traitor and a national security risk. Only a few "brave people of Malaysia"( to borrow Al Gore's quote) are willing to take that kind of risk. Look at what happens to them. Would anybody be willing to take the risk?

I am reminded of a TV commercial by Bumiputra-Commerce which has the puppet Eddie saying, "I'm happy if the boss is happy".

However, the penultimate sentence of Harun's article answers it all.