THIS letter is directed at the blogger who encouraged Malaysians to fly the Jalur Gemilang upside down.

If the blogger is unhappy with what Malaysia can offer him, then I and millions of Malaysians have suggestions for him.

If you are unhappy with corruption, please migrate to a neighbouring country where almost everything begins with the question of how much you can offer.

If you are unhappy with the crime rate, you could migrate to Iraq, Afghanistan, Colombia, Mexico or South Africa.

If you are unhappy with the facilities available here, move to Somalia, Ethiopia or Af-ghanistan.

And if you are unhappy with the lack of press freedom here, the US is there for you to write whatever you want, while the Homeland Security Department and its Patriot Act will find every means to deport you if you write anything nasty about the government.

Nothing can be changed overnight. Change has to proceed steadily with support from every one.

Our leaders cannot be boarding a train, bus or taxi to do checks every week. Others must do their bit to complement these actions.

I spent 15 years fighting violence and evil on behalf of the public. The result is that my colleagues and I provided a blanket of security so that every citizen and expatriate could sleep peacefully at night.

Some of my colleagues died in jungles, at sea and on land, battling subversive elements determined to set up a communist state.

Some of those who died for the Jalur Gemilang were Chinese, Indians, Iban, Dayaks, Orang Asli or members of other minority groups. The ones who are alive are in their 40s, 50s and 60s.

So, to fly the Jalur Gemilang upside down is the wrong thing to do for someone who calls himself a citizen of Ma-laysia.

M.R.M.N., Kuala Lumpur

Source: NST – August 29, 2008