The favourable review in the World Investment Report reflects positively the measures taken by our government in combating the recent downturn. Although unorthodox and highly controversial, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad stuck to his guns and the country is making a strong comeback.

In fact there are many things that we take for granted in this country, intangible freedoms such as having a teh tarik in the wee hours and shopping till you drop in the many excellent shopping malls.

Although there may be imperfections, we have the basis and the potential as a people to be a great nation. As our leader would put it, we can if we try (translated to 'Malaysia Boleh'), for Malaysia's greatest asset is ultimately her people.

So it is with disappointment that I read that some of us chose to vote with their feet and not stick around to make a difference.

Racism, corruption, erosion of human rights, etc, are evils that need to be fought and it begins with telling 'them' that we will not stand for it, nor run away.

The road ahead is not easy but looking at it optimistically through the eyes of a patriot, we should hold our heads high and tell ourselves and the world that we are proud Malaysians and we will ultimately shape the country into one that we fully deserve, warts and all.