'Thanks for staying and joining the fight, and I can assure you that in any battle worth fighting for, there will be costs and sacrifices.'

'If you hate Malaysia so much, go back'

FL Tan: Kudos to Candy Tay. Her letter is compelling and speaks eloquently and powerfully. And it has elicited a fascinating and insightful response from, presumably, young and educated minds. It is indeed a privileged look into the minds and hearts of our nation's young. If it does nothing else, it will remind us, that change is on the way! A refreshing start to a new decade.

Candy, it is a tough world out there and you can't count on things getting easier. But I am certain that the ability to communicate and motivate people will determine who wins or loses in the next decade. You and the rest of the commentators have got what it takes. Just go for it.

Chris Yong: Candy, in the animal kingdom, in the face of danger and threat, we could either fight or flee. Thanks for staying and joining the fight, and I can assure you that in any battle worth fighting for, there will be costs and sacrifices. To quote Winston Churchill, "never in the history of human conflicts, has there been so much, owe by so many to so few".

Yes, the struggle may be long and painful, but sure is the victory in due course. My inspiration is from Jose Rizal's ‘Ultimo Adio' - "If indeed my blood is needed to be shed to free my beloved Philippines, so be it...".

Remember Martin Luther King's speech, ‘I have a dream', and it change America, and how one person, with the passion to pursue a course worth fighting for, will be able to change not a country but the whole world.

You do not walk alone, for many have since trodden this path - Gandhi, Mandela, Dalai Lama, etc. Change is near, if more people like yourself take a stand for principle and for the country.

Ipohcrite: Candy, way to go! You want things to be better and took the trouble to articulate your views. It's a great start. Better than just moaning about things or allow yourself to be sucked into the system, and trying to justify and defend it.

Stay true to your instincts. You know it in your bones what is right and wrong.

AC: You are spot on, Candy Tay! I and many, many others are 100 percent behind you. Corruption is a curse to any society striving for progress. Even if it takes a 100 years to achieve change for the better, we will persevere and not waiver like your feeble friends...

Moontime: It's not wrong to be idealistic. I'm one, for example. I do share your hopes and aspirations to see a better Malaysia. Eventhough things are looking down at this time, we should never give up in the quest to make this country great once more.

I've come to realise that change can and will happen. It's a fact of life. However, we do have a choice. To make that change for the better or worse. Michael Jackson's ‘Man in the Mirror' sums up my whole point: "If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make that change."

Your friend's attitude is similar to the often quoted phrase: "If you can't beat them, join them" - a highly dangerous attitude because you will always be hounded by your conscience and ultimately you will have to decide whether to "kill" that small voice in your heart that says it 'ain't right' or agree to it and make a change.

I know it's difficult to fight corruption that have become endemic in this beloved country of ours, but fight it we must!

Andrew Chuah: Candy, I am proud of you! Like you, I am also back in Malaysia after many years in the States; also to look after my parents. I refuse to bribe, and have never in my life bribed any police or anyone else. I have also convinced my parents to vote DAP in GE13 (13th general election); they are staunch BN supporters, and have never voted otherwise!

I believe that we can make a difference, and our country needs us at this time of change. Canada and the US, on the other hand, will do just fine without us. I am proud that I voted for change in GE12, and I will continue to vote for change in GE13, until my country is free from corruption.

I find hope in people like Hannah Yeoh, Tony Pua, Nik Nazmi, Nurul Izzah. We can yet turn this country around!

Geronimo: Candy, I was once asked by a couple of friends in the early 80s whether I would like to migrate to New Zealand as they were prepared to sponsor me and my family. After careful consideration, we decided to turn down the offer as this was still my country no matter how rotten it is.

After 28 years, the change came in 2008, not great enough to change the federal government but great enough to tell me my belief in my country finally bore fruits. Today we see many young ladies becoming the beacon of hope for someone like you - Hannah Yeoh, Jenice Lee, Teo Nie Ching, Nurul Izzah Anwar, Elizabeth Wong and last but not the least, Teresa Kok.

If they can do it, I am sure you can too. You have done the right thing by not quitting on your country. Many of my friends too have returned from overseas after the 12GE and are now either members of political parties or NGOs to be the agents of change. The nation awaits you!

Steadyaku: Candy, Malaysia and your parents should be proud of you. If more of your peers and young educated Malaysians think, articulate and act like you do, hope will return to our nation.

Be yourself. Reach out, fire up and motivate other Malaysians. Perhaps find a platform. Join a political party which you deem can provide the change you desire. I hope your dreams will be fulfilled in 2010.

Lonestar: Candy, take heart, never give in to what appears to be prevailing. Change needs time but change will come if we continue to work for it. Change is the only constant in life and change will come. Never be like those two "friends" of yours and give in or vote with your feet.

March 2008 is the beginning of change for Malaysia, we might even falter at the next GE but what has been gained by the 12th GE and the further awakening of Malaysians will lead to inevitable change. Stay focused.

Maggie Lim: We don't hate Malaysia. We love our country. We just hate our corrupted government and the unfairness. Malaysia can be a great country if ruled properly.