Marina Mahathir's Musings column in The Star (Sept 17) was an insightful read, and like everyone else I must applaud her for her stand.

Many of us are always urging our friends to do this and that, but they disappear into the woodwork once trouble brews, as correctly pointed out Marina.

I also agree very much with her that interested parties other than the government are more to be blamed for 'harassing' and 'intimidating' private citizens into keeping quiet.

Errant businessman, bad bosses and unscrupulous public company directors play on people's fear of losing their job to hide or conceal their shenanigans from the public/regulators, because whistle-blowers are always at risk.

No one has monopoly on opinions. If someone does not agree with a particular decision, then that is that person's constitutional right. Just because they oppose something does not make them enemies of the state. Please don't belittle or accuse people just because we do not see their point of view.

I however wish to add one point that is missing from Marina's thoughts. It is one thing having an opinion and having the courage to say it aloud.

Not many of us have the ability or the opportunity to say it in public - you get the chance to do so only if the mass media agree with you.