COMMENT | The young police officer in uniform and the medals entered the room and saluted the men seated at a table. It was a promotion interview – from chief inspector to assistant superintendent of police.

What are medals for? he was asked.

“This is from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. These were awarded for my services to the country. I represented our hockey team at the Montreal and Los Angeles Olympics,” replied the officer.

“If you go around the world playing ...