It is refreshing to read malaysiakini journalist Zakiah Koya's interactions and resulting predicament with the 'king' of Malaysian politics ('The PM and I - what to do?' May 23). You go, girl... keep it up! Show the rest of the psuedo-journalists with the local mainstream media how critical it is to have a link between the brain and vocal cords. Maybe they might even grow a spine in the process. One can only hope.

As for the prime minister, after having carefully cultivated and nurtured this feudal system under the false pretense of politics and democracy, it must be quite a shock to see mutiny in the ranks.

I say the PM should live with it. For one, his is the numero uno public figure in Malaysia and hence answering difficult questions comes with the job. Two, if he cannot answer pertinent issues intellectually without resorting to childish diatribe, maybe his sell-by date was in the last century. If he holds a press conference or any publicity exercise, he shouldn't expect to be asked only the questions he likes. There are people who want answers.

To Zakiah, I think the man might miss you if you keep away too long. Keep at it, even if you are brushed aside; at least you might provide some form of inspiration to the other hacks to occasionally remove their grey matter from under the shell and use it at press conferences.