I respect the right to free speech as seen in the publication of Din Merican's letter Separate Muslim unity call and domestic woes, and also commend malaysiakini for allowing freedom of opinions from both sides of the political divide. It shows that malaysiakini is definitely more independent, intellectual and liberal than the government-controlled newspapers which only allows one antiquated school of opinion, namely Mahathiristic sophistry.

However, the right to free speech is one thing, the intellectual quality and moral contents of any particular speech is another. Thus, while Din Merican's right must be protected and respected, his views must not be unchallenged. Living in Subang Jaya or Kuala Lumpur do not necessarily means one is always right in public discourses.

Zamani Ibrahim was certainly right when he said that we must first Seek justice at home first. Many Muslims and non-Muslims here in Malaysia are being denied the basic human rights to freedom of speech and assembly. Mainstream media are tightly controlled. Legitimate dissidents are jailed without trial for an indefinite period, and some were also tortured.

Financial scandals (not only Perwaja) are either being covered up, or delayed in their investigations. Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad even told a lie that the Swiss authorities did not cooperate in the investigation of Perwaja. Thanks to the free world, his lie was promptly exposed by the Swiss Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

In this context, Mahathir's call for Muslim countries to unite against Israel can indeed be seen as a diversionary tactic. He tries to re-direct people's focus and attention away from domestic scandals, and re-channel their political energies, activitism and moral outrage to some faraway lands. True, we must all give moral support to the oppressed Palestinians, but let us devote more time and energy to expose domestic scandals and right domestic wrongs.

Similarly, his frequent and financially unaccountable trips to Arabian countries were also for domestic consumption. He wants to show that he is still 'loved' and 'admired' as an Islamic leaders. The target is nothing but the fortune of himself and Umno in the next general elections.

It is call image spinning. He is still jealous of Anwar Ibrahim's international fame, and wants to outdo the jailed ex-protégé. It shows how psychologically insecure and vain Mahathir can be, even at the age of 76.

Is it right to use taxpayers' money for personal and partisan image spin? What kind of moral authority Mahathir has to lecture about justice and the root causes of terrorism, including state terrorism when in Malaysia, there is no justice and the police behave like Israeli troops in the occupied territories, beating up and detaining people as if they are animals, not human beings?

Mr Din Merican should search his conscience: should we build our wealth and reputation at the expense of other Malaysians' personal freedom and family happiness? What is the difference between piracy and robbery on one hand, and 'economic development' backed up by ISA on the other?

Perhaps, we can say that piracy and robbery are unlicensed ISA, and ISA is licensed piracy or robbery. That is the only difference.