Whilst I am a supporter of the movement to reform Malaysia's political and socio-economic system, letters from those exhibiting views from the other end of the political spectrum rarely elicit a negative response from me. Everyone is of course entitled to his or her own opinion, at least so far as the 'alternative' media is concerned.

However, when I came across 'Of idiots and pretenders' (May 3) written by one 'My Voice' from Melaka, I couldn't help but wonder about the writer's contradictory statements.

He/she derides the 'waste' of public money caused by Anwar Ibrahim's hospitalisation, forgetting that if the government had allowed him to obtain his own treatment, no money would have been wasted.

At the same time he/she applauds 'heroes' such as Azhar Mansor, citing him as one of 'those who single-handedly triumphed against all odds in their chosen fields with no supporters to fall back on'. What then, was the heavy assistance received by the sailor from our Naval force when the former's mast needed repairs? And were the cost of the repairs 'single-handedly' borne by Azhar himself? I for one would rather my money be spent on treating an ill man than on a futile exercise in propaganda.

Furthermore, the writer claims that 'those who champion issues are not heroes'. Although at this point, my concern is not the search for heroes but the search for justice, I took issue at this remark.

Nelson Mandela, for instance, is widely regarded as a hero, and what was apartheid if not an 'issue'? That said, I do not see Anwar Ibrahim, Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor and Hishamuddin Rais as heroes, merely as human beings whose rights to a just society as entrenched in our constitution have been violated, as have the rights of Malaysian citizens to a credible government and the rule of law.

To cloud the issue with emotive tirades about the 'courage' of these individuals and others who work towards political and socio-economic reform seems to indicate a certain inability to look beyond propaganda, merely an ability to increase its propagation.