This is in reply to My Voice's letter, 'Of idiots and pretenders' (May 3). He/she mentioned heroes who had certain characteristics. I truly agree that all those mentioned, from Anwar Ibrahim to Azhar Mansor, and Shalin Zulkifli to Ong Beng Hee, have remarkable traits.

However, I disagree with one point. The wastage of taxpayers' money. To my knowledge, all of them are a waste of taxpayers' money.

Azhar sailed around the world - costing Malaysians approximately RM2 million to RM3 million (I'm guessing based on the expenses incurred from repairs to his radar).

The Everest team was funded with taxpayers' money.

The two gentlemen who walked the last few kilometres to the North Pole, were indirectly funded by Benson & Hedges, which makes their money from the Malaysian public.

Shalin, Ong and most of our athletes are supported by taxpayers' money.

I must say that all these people have remarkable characteristics but I also see a very close resemblance in all their motives - selfishness.

I do not believe that any one of these people mentioned has the one characteristic that makes real heroes - altruism.

Heroes are people like Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa. Heroes are Palestinians who face oppression every day and do not give up. Heroes are the beggars in the street who go on living knowing that no one cares for them. Heroes give without asking and heroes give for others and not for their own fame.

But the writer has raised a very significant question: Where are the heroes in Malaysia?