As a Malaysian who lives abroad I feel a need to respond to BS' allegation of "decadent western values" (Aug 24). Please consider the following criticism of Malaysian practices and laws as compared with those of the US:

1) Detention without trial under the ISA: There is no equivalent law in the US for detention without fair representation and trial. Even where the most security-laded cases are concerned, the Justice Department is required to go to court to prove its case against the accused. In cases where this rule is even seen to be slightly violated, the US government comes under heavy press and public censure.

2) Justifying police action against demonstrators: Every case of police action in a public place in the US comes under governmental and media investigation. Human rights violation by individual officers or whole departments may result in termination, criminal proceedings and civil lawsuits. This is often not the case in Malaysia where a blanket of secrecy is maintained around the police and how they go about their business.

3) Fairness for opposition parties: There is no ban against any political party to hold public discussions and rallies in the US, unlike the situation in Malaysia where a double-standard is practised for Barisan Nasional versus non-BN parties when it comes to holding ceramahs and rallies. Neither are opposition party leaders detained under security laws for their campaign speeches just because these point out the faults and misrule of the government of the day.

4) Freedom of the press: While it is true that large business interests control major newspapers and networks in the US they inevitably even out the political support for various opposing candidates. If one does not like the pro-Republican bias of FoxNews, just turn over to CNBC or CNN. Local papers openly declare or endorse their support for opposing party candidates without fear of losing their licenses or retaliation from the ruling party. This is not the case in Malaysia where the press is muzzled or partisan towards BN only and the circulation of opposition newspapers is confined to their members.

5) Standards of police professionalism: The various police departments in the US are held up to the highest standards of professionalism by the American public and the press. This means no abuse of their authority when dealing with the public, adherence to the laws of the land and no corruption. While the police departments do not always live up to these ideals, they are still judged according to these standards. Failure to keep up with the ideals often has far-reaching consequences for the departments involved.

In Malaysia the police are just an extension of the BN, practising partiality towards members of the ruling party but being oppressive towards all other groups. Malaysian traffic police have a legendary reputation for seeking wang kopi (bribes) from traffic offenders, something unheard of in the US.

While 'Asian' and 'Western' values may differ in some aspects but the standard for proper and responsible governance is the same regardless of where you are. I can only wish and hope that my fellow Malaysians can distinguish fact from fiction about so-called "western decadence" and see the faults of our society for what they are and not sweep them under the rug of 'Asian' values.