This is to assure Perantau, ('Decadent western values', Aug 27) that there is at least one Malaysian who is still able to distinguish fact from fiction about the said values. Hence, don't despair. And this particular - though some might say peculiar - Malaysian has several questions that are desperately in need of answers.

Why is it that Malaysians who lived or studied abroad, especially the US of A, hardly ever have anything good to say about Malaysia? Admittedly, constructive criticism is always welcome but single-minded justification for the wrongs blatantly committed by one nation while self-righteously condemning others, quite simply, does not qualify as constructive criticism.

If bribery in the police force is 'unheard of in America', then why is there a need for the Internal Affairs Dept? For interior decoration, perhaps?

Maybe it is true that they don't bother with petty traffic offences but are they equally resilient when the 'rewards' are substantially higher? Are they not humans?

If they have standards of professionalism that the police are expected measure up to, so have we. The only difference being that our society would rather pay the bribe (cheap; easy) than face up to their own faults (expensive; impossible). Literally and metaphorically speaking, of course!

Funny thing is, Perantau, a Malaysian living abroad, has not constructively studied the living standards enjoyed by the average American police officer as compared with that of his counterpart in Malaysia.

Now, that would be something, for not only would it have been interesting but also informative to boot. But then again, it won't fit the premise that America is good and Malaysia is corrupt!

Anyhow, since these pseudo-Americans have only good things to say about America, I wonder if they actually mingle and interact with the populace? Because if they did, then they would come to the realisation that all is not too well with America, particularly with regard to police brutality, employment, the health service, public transport and foreign policy, to name a few.

Also, why must we always compare ourselves with America? The only thing we have in common is that we both secured our independence from Great Britain - 174 years apart!

Even though we are both multi-cultural nations, isn't it odd that they don't acknowledge Chinese New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Hari Raya as national holidays like we do? If the information from our learned 'expats' abroad are to be believed, it should be a cinch for the various minorities to have their religious festivals acknowledged.

Fact is, the American Constitution was drafted in 1787, but it was only 81 years later that all citizens, regardless of race, were allowed to vote. Moreover, it required 19 amendments and 133 years before women were finally allowed to vote in national elections. Incidentally, New Zealand was the first country in the world to give women the right to vote - in 1893.

Furthermore, since 1783, America has developed from the original 13 states to a federal republic, consisting of 50 states and one federal district. Yet, despite the advantages they have to practise democracy, it is still far from perfect.

And, if I am so inclined, I could easily quote an obscure state law that forbids women from having their hair cut without the consent of their husbands. Or, might I suggest reading, 'Die on duty, win US citizenship - limited time offer' (Aug 26) but why annoy the bona fide Americans when the real problem is with these pseudo-Americans?

In the final analysis, I am of the opinion that negative comments about Malaysia by Malaysians living or having studied abroad are just plain kiasu , which is in itself Asian, through and through. And that's a fact!