I read with dismay the US ruling that Malaysian sailors are no longer allowed to go to shore at all US ports. The ban itself is not a big thing, but what it represents and means for our image should be a cause of concern. It may lead to other moves by other countries.

The tarnishing of our image has been helped in no small measure by our mainstream media's vendetta against the opposition, via incessant assault and graphics to paint them as ultra militants. Day in day out, in every news, be it electronic or the press, we were bombarded with this 'militant scourge' in our society.

Suddenly, the 'campaign' ended and no more mention of militants is made, but the damage has already been done and most of it is self inflicted.

There was another matter by which we could have enhanced our image as a tolerant nation, i.e. when one of the world's biggest Buddha statues was launched in Kelantan. Because it was in 'enemy territory' there was as if a blackout of the news.

I am now pondering on how destructive we are towards our own people. When we are in this 'self-destructive mode', we do not really need enemies.