I am writing to respond to MCA deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek’s recent comment on the failure of Malaysia’s government to attract skilled Malaysians who work overseas to come back to Malaysia. I have to say that he has given some good reasons why people would rather stay overseas, such as the lack of technical advancement and incomparable compensation that you will get in Malaysia.

He shared on the frustration and disappointment of the students on career development opportunities though I think there is this strong point that he missed which is the frustration and disappointment on the political side of our country.

It’s actually pretty sad to read about Malaysian news sometimes. On one hand, you are glad that some Internet-based media is able to promote freedom of knowledge, that’s very encouraging, but on the other hand, knowing of the dark side of our government and things that happened to our poor fellow Malaysians, that’s absolutely discouraging.

Talking about the most memorable events in 2008, I guess the March election, the August by-election, (which were pretty exciting) and then tons of stories on how our police used their power and resources to interrupt various events and arrest the citizens, and all the good reasons given by our leaders on why they took the actions they took. It’s pretty unbelievable sometimes.

They arrested a reporter because she was in ‘danger’; I wonder why not you arrest ‘our dearest friend’ who keeps criticising the government like he had never done those things before. Don’t forget he was the one who started all these political injustices in Malaysia - those who are in power today are just following his example.

Also, talking about the one who was indeed happy of the successful passage of his two proposals, I mean I can understand his happiness. But listen to his speeches sometimes, that could be an eye- opening experience. The corruption will come to an end. Or if there is, there won’t be much. Or another comment of hey, we need your DNA, because the one collected 10 years ago is pretty old so we need a new one.

Well, I don’t know what to say about this. I am not doubting his good man characteristics which have been widely acknowledged - I am just doubtful of his sincerity to really reform a justice and independent judicial system, and also his political and reasoning skills. It’s very interesting sometimes listening to his speeches.

Also, reading on the actions of our police on ‘interrupting’ various campaigns, and gatherings and the scale of their actions, I think if they can be as efficient and determined in arresting the criminals, I am sure we will see a significant reduction of crime rates in Malaysia. Hey, you are trying to stop people from raising their voices. What do you expect them to do? Making a police report on the injustice or unequal treatment? Is that going to lead anywhere?

I wonder what happened or if there is anything happen to the ones who punched our assembly person in face during the PJ vigil. What happened to the 20 men who attacked our poor Chang Jiun Haur in the Grand Saga event? Anything happened to the ones who deleted the content of the video taken on the police action during the protest? Anything happened to the parliament member who uttered sexual comment? I wonder if anything will happen regarding the molest report recently made by our participant in the Jerit campaign.

My friend, you get to understand this? Why would people go on protest? If the government is able to do a good job in protecting the country, in which the citizens are able to live well, earn a good living, lead a stable life, there is no reason they will go on protest. There’s got to be a reason. Not fighting for the sake of fighting? If not going on protest, what can they do? Do you think making a report in the police station is going to work? You know better.

Talking about the permit for having a gathering. There’re the most interesting permit conditions you have ever needed to follow.

- No form of political or racial speeches allowed.

- Organiser must ensure that there is no burning of candles to protest the ISA.

- Organiser must ensure that participants do not wear clothes which call for the abolishment of the ISA.

- Organiser must not hold any activities which show support for ISA detainees.

- Banners and fliers calling for the abolition of the ISA are forbidden.

Come on, what kinds of rules are these? We are not applying for a permit to hold a birthday party? There’s no way of getting a permit if you were to protest since no form of political speeches are allowed. Since they do not have permit, let’s arrest!

Finally, listen to what someone said that Malaysia would handle its citizens according to its law and no other country should interfere with this.

And look at how our good man who refused to meet with the Pakatan Rakyat regarding handling over the government, and later he himself claimed that someone wasn’t able to meet the deadline.

And look at the quality of our police and their job scope and the standard of our leaders, aren’t all these pretty good reasons for Malaysians to stay overseas?

We need a thorough change in Malaysia, let’s hope for a better 2009. I look forward to see what happen in the coming by-election in Terengganu.