Dear ‘British Expat’, many thanks for your point of view . With all the shenanigans happening in Malaysia, I can easily see why a person can have such a view of Malaysia and Malaysians. Far be it for me to say you are wrong. I will acknowledge that you have raised many valid points.

Yet I feel I must offer a slightly different outlook from yours. You generalise and paint all Malaysians as ‘keyboard warriors’, pseudo-experts in all topics when adversity strikes and general whiners without a clue. You see Malaysia and Malaysians as a glass half (or even mostly) empty.

Perhaps you should spend more time among Malaysians who are striving for a better Malaysia. Perhaps you should open your eyes and see the strength, generosity and proactiveness of Malaysians who want a better Malaysia.

You do the tens of thousands who attended the Bersih rallies in support of free and fair elections a disservice. These people of all walks of life, from students to factory workers, from company CEOs to waiters, the young, the old, all the races of Malaysia coming together, braving possible imprisonment, tear gas or worse. Are these tens of thousands ‘keyboard warriors’?

You ignore the many generous souls who responded to last year’s East Coast floods. The many people who travelled from all over the country to render aid and comfort. You ignore the efforts of others who donated what they could to provide both shelter and food to the flood victims.

You choose not to see the intrepid group of Sikhs who flew medical supplies and food to isolated villages. You choose not to see the volunteers who travel to the East Coast to help the people there rebuild their homes.

You fail to see the manner in which all Malaysians pulled together in the wake of the MH tragedies. I could go on and on about the strength of ordinary Malaysians pulling together for the sake of the country and the future. But that would only matter if you open your eyes to see and your mind to accept opinions other than your own.

I do not shy away from acknowledging that Malaysians have many flaws. So what? We are not perfect and we don’t claim to be. I chose to see all these good things too and note that yes, we have our faults but there are many working to fight for a better Malaysia. If you feel that the UK or any other country could offer you a much better environment and better people, good for you and I wish you all the best.

I was there when the tear gas canisters started falling in Bersih 3.0. I was there when I wished my friends safe journey as they travelled to Kelantan to help rebuild homes. Perhaps people may still label us as ‘keyboard warriors’. So be it, I’m proud to be a ‘keyboard’ warrior.