The amount of vitriol being spewed out by the likes of Can't Keep The Faith Now , Michael and Ryan Davidson on the subject of emigration from Malaysia is par for the course. The same old tired arguments, the same well-rehearsed script, the same emoting and beating of breasts.

The only 'balanced' letter on this subject that I have seen thus far came from Think Positive .

It is instructive to note that every one of these disgruntled people are going to be economic migrants, pure and simple. No old-fashioned objectives of serving your fellow men and helping out the truly poor, destitute and disadvantaged.

Note how these people set their sights squarely on the advanced Western countries (Australia, the US, Canada, England) and, nearer home, in Singapore. Nobody talks about emigrating to sub-Saharan Africa, Eastern Europe, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea or any of the other struggling economies of the developing world where their skills, money, business acumen and contacts could be put to good use.

So let's acknowledge the hypocrisy of those who condemn Malaysia for being biased against its citizens (albeit of certain races and religions), while doing absolutely zero about going where they could make a difference.

When you think about it (emigration, that is), it's all dollars and cents, everyone for himself and let the rest of the world go hang.

As I have said before, there are plenty of this ilk just across the Causeway in meritocractic, super-efficient Singapore. These are the people who never miss an opportunity to run down Malaysia at any and every opportunity (much to the delight of the Singaporean authorities who can't stand other countries having the temerity to usurp the republic's role as a hub for anything and everything).

People who, come every public holiday in Singapore (including National Day), pack up the family and drive north to sample the dubious delights of the country they left behind. And who, quietly, purchase up-market retirement properties in that much-maligned country for 'investment' and 'just in case-s'.

So, spare me the diatribes and the angst. If you want to make a difference, go where you are needed. Not to where you are one of many similar professionals, businessmen or whatever.

And be honest enough to admit that you, along with the many others, are thinking along the basis of skin colour, race, and maybe, religion.

Not to mention also, your wallets.