I take issue to T Varghese's criticism of elites in 'Chattering away while Malaysia burns' (May 21). The willingness and capacity to discourse (which the writer would describe as chat) in exercise of freedom of speech is already a courageous act in Malaysia against the backdrop of the Sedition Act, the Printing Press and Publications Act and the Law of Defamation.

What to the writer appears to be the lack of focus due to excessive puerile intellectual exercise may be attributable to the writer's lack of appreciation of the complexities and different nuances of issues affecting national life. (For example, he appeared to think simplistically that the entire malaise of this nation was due to the Prime Minister).

The elites rule this country. Yes it is also true that many armchair elites talk shop and discourse through malaysiakini. Don't forget that many of the political elites that rule this country read and access malaysiakini. Some of the police officers and judges also read malaysiakini.

If the chatter in malaysiakini can convey fragments of truth here and there, convey the pulse and aspiration of the people and enlarge the perspectives of the ruling elites and those who are empowered to effect change - if the chatter can, at the same time, broaden the outlook of all others amongst the rakyat, and make them more receptive to contrariety of ideas, less racially or religiously bigoted and more aware of the complexities of most public issues, the great Public Cause, and national interest, would be amply served by this chatter that the writer has regrettably deemed it unproductive to contribute except by way of criticism of it.