Delimma's letter No apologies for Malaysian way seems to have a dilemma about Manjit Bhatia's trenchant criticisms (Why PM, why?) of Malaysia's Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Probably he doesn't know it but I feel many would think Delimma has complimented this contrarian writer and academic from Australia.

The problem with the likes of Delimma is that rather than focus on Manjit's criticisms, they prefer to shoot down the messenger (although I would think the writer himself would say "messenger" is too kind a word for a contrarian like him).

This is not the first time but several times pro-Mahathirists like Delimma have attempted to pour personal ridicule upon the PM's critics, especially when they miss the point of his writings. Take Delimma's response, which goes off on various tangents  they would smile and chat with you as they process your entry documents  they were repeated and worse, amplified manifold. But Delimma takes a typically head-in-sand attitude.

Delimma says crony Tajudin Ramli is the product of Mahathir's buddies, not of Mahathir. Clever distortion. Was Halim Saad also? Easy to scapegoat, isn't it? The problems since the crisis remain deep, and most have to do with the moral hazard of companies owned by handpicked Malay entrepreneurs. Transparency and good governance are a joke; and Danaharta was only partially successful in its task. Have a good close look at Malaysia's privatisation policy. Other problems can be found in the Economic Planning Unit and the National Economic Action Council. Just ask any of the former serving members of these organisations.

I would much rather have Manjit respond to Delimma but I have some examples to give Delimma on one or two points s/he raises in his/her comments — examples of second-class citizenship among non-Malays. Here's one: Would I, a non-Malay, be given the same discount for a house price and a mortgage loan as a Malay? Will I, a non-Malay, be able to buy land reserved for Malays? Here's another: Will my children be allowed to attend Malaysian varsities even if their grades aren't so good, or will I have to take out hefty loans and second mortgages and send my children abroad for further study? Will my children be given government scholarships? And another: Can a non-Malay become prime minister of the country, even a deputy prime minister, or even less a finance minister or defence minister or foreign minister? And if I were to convert to Islam, will I be known equally as a bumiputera or derogatorily as a 'mamak'?

As for Delimma's sense of Australian history and politics, s/he is hopelessly off the mark. Delimma writes, for example: "The supposed freedom is only limited to townships where immigrants have actually taken over the social structure — in terms of economy ad sheer numbers — such as in Sydney, Canberra and the Gold Coast to name a few." Rubbish. You must be reading the same books as Mahathir, as Manjit would say. You haven't the slightest clue. Neither does Mahathir.

Get your facts right or shut up. Focus on the content rather than the man. I know that is how we play football in Malaysia: target the man rather than the ball. Same in politics. Which is what Mahathir does every time he has a 'bee in his bonnet' about Australia — a very Australian phrase.

I can just see it now: the likes of Delimma telling me, "If you like Australia so much" or "if you don't like Malaysia, why don't you leave?" Which is what Mahathir has said many times in the past, and each time looking silly by half. Because, suddenly, Mahathir says we are all Malaysians now. Then you have such spurious labels thrown at you like "Malaysian way" and "Malaysianness", which are about as half-baked pies-in-the-sky as 'Malaysia Boleh' and 'Wawasan 2020'.

Tell you what, Delimma: You don't feel particularly "bangsa Malaysia" when you are discriminated against racially by the government. And you don't feel particularly "bangsa Malaysia" when, recently, taking my daughter to school, I was told by the clerk to "Cakap Bahasa Melayu lah. Apa ini dengan mau cakap Inggeris. Ini Malaysia."

Gobsmacked? I was too. An ignoramus in the 21st century.

Need I say more? Except, Manjit, keep writing, and don't worry about your critics here. For them the truth hurts. Your criticisms have resonance among those who think the same but don't dare voice them openly because, like the mainstream media, they're afraid of the government that pretends it is democratic, pretends it protects citizens' rights, and pretends it sanctifies human rights.

I can tell you categorically many of us don't believe a word of it. Many of us can't afford to pull up shop and leave. This is home now. We will just have to continue to grin and bear the injustices and the inequalities of our rights, even if Mahathir now says we are all Malaysians now. Only he believes in his own drivel.