John R Malott's letter, 'Bravo, Marie!' (Aug 2), would have been more appropriately entitled, 'Bravo, Anwar?' since it contained so many references to jailed former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim (mentioned five times).

The writer opines that a number of Malaysian dreamers know nada about American history, and they "believe only what they read in a controlled press".

My question is, who is actually controlling the so-called controlled press? Is it Mr Authoritarian, himself, or the inconspicuously authoritative editors-in-chief?

The former envoy writes, "Mahathir says that Malaysia is a democracy." Then he throws a challenge, "Prove it." And how?

"Free Anwar," he says.

So, am I to believe that the proof of democracy lies in the freeing of a convicted felon?

Is that what democracy is all about, then?

Finally, if we were to take Malott's letter seriously, then I propose that we change the name of this country. By his reckoning, the rights of the Malaysian people are only secondary to the problem of a certain prisoner in Sungai Buloh.