I am impressed by FJ Wang's letter ('In defence of Pak Lah', Aug 17). I agree with the writer that we should not prejudge Pak Lah at this stage because he probably still needs to hide his true capacity, skills and knowledge from his suspicious boss.

However, how long can he hide without being perceived as a collaborator of his boss? The case of former Indonesian president, BJ Habibie is instructive. Whatever Habibie did as the new president, he was always associated with his mentor and former boss, Suharto.

And, remember, Dr Mahathir Mohamad is simply not a simple person. He is the last domestic pillar of an authoritarian regime that has done little to curb corruption. Would Pak Lah be able to defend the political and economic independence of Malaysia in the post-Mahathir Malaysia?