Believe it or not, I have never voted in the country's general election in my life.  I regret it now because I cannot share in the pride of voting in a fair and just government, like the Government we have today.  I am in my 50s.  I believe strongly in democracy, the rule of law, fairness to all, and in peace and harmony.  And I like to sit in my club across the Dataran Merdeka and gaze pensively at the beautifully lit Sultan Abdul Samad building, thanking the Almighty for my being born in this blessed country.

I am one among the silent majority who supports our Prime Minister and his Government.  I can name a dozen countries where peace exist in name only.  Citizenship in those countries is worthless piece of paper because the people are judged and treated according to the colour of their skins.  So, when the so-called champions of democracy and equality criticise my beloved country, they really ruffle my feathers.

Most of our angry young men who have blemished and smeared the good name of Malaysia through their senseless street violence recently may not have travelled far to these other countries to realise the felony they are committing.  I wish the government will sponsor their trips to those cities where even angels fear to tread, where life can be snuffed out like a candle fmale the very next second.

It is true that whichever party rules, a strong opposition is always needed to keep a watchful eyes on the Government.  In Malaysia, I had always respected and appreciated the opposition, especially the DAP.  I rad, with an open mind, the Aliran and engage in political discussions with fellow citizens.  The Government is, of course, not always right, and public opinion and a watchful opposition keeps the Government on its toes.

Of late, however, my respect for the DAP has all but evaporated.  Even before the echoes of DAP deputy chairman's bellowing cry, "over my dead body" (to the possibility of the PAS party forming an Islamic state in Malaysia), have stopped ringing in our heads, the DAP is bending over backwards to form an alliance with PAS, tossing away all dearly held principles for only one aim - to bring the Barisan Government down.

I may not agree with all the PAS stands for, but I do respect the party for not being a hypocrite.  The party has openly proclaimed its desire to form an Islamic state where alchoholic drinks and pigs are out.  I do not know whether Lim Kit Siang drinks beer, but I do.  I like my brew, but I can live without it, too.  But I hate to see this peaceful country of ours become another Afghanistan.