I would like to comment on Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's reply when asked about Malaysia's human rights record and freedom in Washington.

"Sudden change even if it is for the good is disruptive. Democracy for people who are not used to it can undermine stability resulting in war," he was quoted as saying.

How misleading and irresponsible of Mahathir to make such a statement which, in my opinion, is tantamount to an act of treason. Firstly, Malaysia is a democratic country. It is enshrined in our constitution, and our people have been democratic long before Mahathir came into power.

To say that we are "not used" to democracy is misleading because it gives the impression that we have been a dictatorship or a totalitarian state, when in actual fact, democracy started to falter in Malaysia only after Mahathir came into power.

He and his Umno cronies are the ones responsible for giving democracy a bad name in Malaysia, and he alone must take responsibility for his shameful 'admission' that Malaysians are not used to democracy.

He also said that he "understands the West's concern about freedom in Malaysia" but that the West must be patient. It is indeed surprising that Mahathir can actually "understand" the West's concern about the need for freedom for our people, but he cannot seem to fathom why our own people would demand this very same freedom.

For years, he has put in place and implemented harsh measures to 'terrorise' Malaysians to live in fear and submission — and despite the birth of an active civil society which has advocated freedom, democracy and human rights, he continues to ignore these calls by Malaysians. But, when such concerns are brought up by American businessmen, he suddenly "understands" them. What double standards!

Mahathir continues to make Malaysia the laughing stock of the world. In Washington, he said that 'militants' in Malaysia have links with Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda movement and have been to Afghanistan and Pakistan for training, but that their main aim was "to topple the Malaysian government".

If he is so confident of making such a precise statement about these 'militants' then would it not be wise for him to show the proof in an open court, instead of arresting these people under the ISA? At the end of the day, there is no way we can verify his statement and we are still left unsure if we are really secure. Instead his statement has only been successful in raising uncertainty and security fears, which is bad for the economy.

Interestingly, an article in the New York Times yesterday mentioned that the Mahathir government's 'intelligence-sharing' and 'cooperation' about terrorist networks have not been particularly substantial for the US in its war against terrorism, but that having Mahathir's support was important only because he is a leader of a Muslim country.

Furthermore, Mahathir also said that Malaysia is "unable to accept the absolute freedom that you (the West) believe in... One day perhaps we will be comfortable with your values, but for the moment we are not comfortable".

This statement is flawed in two senses. Firstly, the West have never believed in 'absolute freedom' (whatever that means), and certainly former US president Jimmy Carter in a speech in Cuba yesterday has alluded that US democracy is far from perfect. But the point is that, as long as civil liberties are guaranteed (and these provisions are guaranteed in the Malaysian Constitution anyway) then people can make changes as they see fit.

The second flaw in that statement is when Mahathir sweepingly implied that we, Malaysians, would rather live in a country where a public gathering of three or more people may be considered illegal, where exposing a minister's corrupt practices may land you in jail, where legitimate political dissenters may be detained without trial, where the press toes the official government line and so on.

By the way, how did he decide that we are not comfortable with these values? Did he seek our opinion? Has he listened to our views? Has he encouraged open discourse on the issue of human rights and freedom?

Has he not read about the peaceful demonstrations in Malaysia which have been violently quashed by the police? Indeed, it is his 'values' which favour despotism, corruption and repression which we are uncomfortable with. There are some values which are universal, Mahathir, and human dignity and respect are some of them. We could use some of them here in Malaysia. Yes, in fact, we Malaysians demand it.

Interestingly, Mahathir also said that the solution to the world's problems can be achieved by being more gentle and understanding. He said, "People tend to respond more positively to the friendly approach than to confrontations. Pushed into a corner, even the weakest will fight."

Well, Mahathir, why don't you start by showing the world a shining example? You can begin by repeating that statement to your police force, and then to your Puteri and Pemuda Umno thugs, and also to your Barisan Nasional MPs in Parliament.

It's time you practised what you preach, Mahathir.