It is about time an alternative news channel is created to counter balance the propaganda of the Malaysian news media (well tamed and behaved, I must say).

What is so sad about the current state of affairs in Malaysia is that Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the government he leads treat the rakyat like simpletons. Mahathir's continual regurgitation of the threat of the old colonial imperialism is no longer working as a scare tactic (it seems Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe is doing the same, what a coincidence!). It is infantile and pointless, most especially in this day and age of a globalised economy.

The real issue is about Mahathir's leadership. He has been in power for so long that not only does he think he is beyond reproach and criticism, but also infallible. This sort of delusion is very dangerous in politics, as demonstrated by Anwar Ibrahim's fall from grace.

That Mahathir spent hard-earned taxpayers' money on the Twin Towers and Sepang airport is a testimony of his how he is fulfilling his extended ego at the expense of decent housing, clean water and electricity, etc., for those in need living in kampung and run-down sections in urban areas.

Long live malaysiakini; democracy in Malaysia has taken one big step forward.

By the way, let me say a few words to the 'National Security Peeping Toms' (just in case my e-mail is being intercepted by them): I deny all knowledge of George Soros. I have never seen or met that man. I write this e-mail on my own volition and without cash incentives from him; I swear!