I am appalled to read the report 'PM says oppression must be removed to overcome terrorism' (Sept 21). When did Dr Mahathir Mohamad suddenly become so philosophically compassionate?

I am, however, more concerned with his doublespeak. On international issues, the prime minister looks and sounds like a left-wing but domestically, he acts more like an ultra-right wing McCarthyist. Doesn't he feel tired and disoriented by switching roles, tones, languages and appearance so frequently for so long?

Why should the United States listen to him while he has lost the support of the majority of decent Muslims and Malays in Malaysia itself? Where is his legitimacy and moral authority to preach the removal of oppression while legitimate dissidents in Malaysia are still jailed without trial, or without real trial on flimsy grounds?

Where is his moral credential to preach compassion while he can't even persuade Umno Youth to apologise to Chinese Malaysians for threatening to raze the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall to the ground? He has not even apologised to them for maliciously accusing them of being "communists" and "Al-Ma'unah".

Where is his moral standing when the Umno government seized the oil royalty from the poor Muslims in Terengganu, and continue to mount psychological oppression against a significant number of Muslims whose 'crime' is just supporting legitimate opposition?

Doctor, heal thyself first.