I must stand up for Dr M..

I must say I was shocked at all the attention that Tun Dr Mahathir's comments generated. More so, I am shocked at the number of parties who are shooting him down and painting him as someone who is losing his marbles. While I am fully supportive of Pak Lah, I must stand up for Dr M too.

I would like to humbly point out that nowhere in his statement did Dr M state that he opposed the government. In fact he said very clearly that "I am not fighting with the prime minister" and "I have no problem with the government".

Dr M gave 22 years of his life serving this country. And it was he who put Malaysia on the world map in the first place, thus his 'title' "Father of Modernisation".

As someone who has done so much for our country, he has more than every right to voice his dissatisfaction, more so with Malaysia being a democratic country. Had it not been for his skills and dedication, Malaysia will definitely not be where she is today. Don't you think we have more to gain by listening to him than shooting him down as some person who 'cannot get over his glory days'? How do you think he managed to win the hearts of Malaysians for 22 years?

So why is it that he is now merely our 'ex-Prime Minister'? Is this the kind of respect we give to the man who fought for and lead us for 22 years?

I lived practically my whole life under the leadership of Dr M, and I remember fondly how whenever my teachers in school asked who our greatest hero was, a majority of my class will firmly say "Dr M"; which was actually pretty surprising seeing that we usually live in a world where politics had no place.

Till today, we speak of Dr M fondly.

Let us all not forget the man that Dr M is. Let us not forget all that he has done for us, and the prosperity that we have enjoyed under his leadership. Let us not forget to give Dr M the due respect and appreciation that he, more than anyone else deserves.

But more importantly, let us stop merely refering to him as 'Malaysia's ex-PM', but rather, remember him as one of the great Father's of Malaysia who will forever remain in the hearts of Malaysian, young and old.

And we can all start by showing him a little more respect.