LETTER | I have been almost dead silent on the many cases of abuse and atrocities in Malaysia for the past couple of months. I thank many of you who have sent me messages to ask why "suddenly" I am not providing my opinions on topical issues.

A heartfelt thanks to those who said that it made their day to see someone taking a bold public stand on injustices in and out of Malaysia. But there is always a price to pay for such boldness. The headline above is self-explanatory on what happened to me.

When you take on the "system", whether for the right or wrong reasons, you are bound to make enemies. Whether it's Malaysia "baru" (new) or "lama" (old), the end results are sadly, inevitably, the same.

Most of my musings have been about the Malaysia lama era and so, in fairness, one would think that Malaysia baru would have come to my rescue. After all, I championed many unjust causes, privately and publicly, with the hope of seeing a new Malaysia that is transparent, fair to all of its citizenry, and one that upholds the principles of social justice.

Most of you would have seen me publicising charitable and noble causes, bringing to attention-worthy causes or matters of public policy. I would have thought that my acts were meritorious (not that I yearn for any accolades or rewards) and in the interest of natural and/or social justice.

I like to see a better world for all of us, and our children. So I spoke up, as keeping silent in the face of injustice is akin to being an accomplice. Many great souls gave similar advice and I repeated their wise words.

Instead, "they" gave me 14 years in prison for what I believe, in the worst case, was a technical error in my past life as a businessman. I cannot discuss the merits of my defence as that would be most unhelpful for the coming appeal.

My legal and personal advisers have "ordered" me to refrain from writing on any issues of public importance as my views may not necessarily go down well with the "powers that be". Who really knows who these "powers that be" are, anyway.

At this juncture of my appeal process, speaking my mind would be a dangerous thing to do they say. What is seen as courageous by some, may be seen as foolish and/or challenging the status quo. They reminded me that while the world is progressing along the "who moved my cheese" competitiveness chain, in Malaysia, mimicking the three monkeys (deaf, dumb and blind) is perhaps more helpful.

As religion (local, foreign or alien/man-made) is highly sensitive, and thus blind faith is "fait accompli", no point in me trying to talk logic in the religious darkness we are engulfed in, they said. After all, who cares about truth and injustice, they said.

If you recall, some time back, I had written (shamelessly borrowing a famous movie line) that, "truth and justice are, at best, second cousins and in Malaysia, they are not even on talking terms". How the chicken has come home to roost for me. Everyone else has resigned to the status quo they said. Don't rock the boat they said.

More so, when I was sent to prison on Sept 11, 2019, and my lawyer passed the hat around to raise the RM900,000 bail money among family and friends. Most of my 5,000 Facebook friends (and family) were nowhere to be seen, the very same friends/family who "supported" my courage and outspoken-ness before.

Maybe they didn't know (as many do not read mainstream propaganda these days) but Malaysiakini did carry news of my sentencing too. And I believe The Edge also headlined it.

I suppose the notion of self-preservation takes over? So you can understand my somewhat despondent view of life these days. I suppose it's easier to ignore the frustrations of injustice if we remain like the three "wise" monkeys.

But I still love to muse for public consumption. I am not allowed to write on my (absolutely shocking but a movie potential perhaps) Shawshank Redemption-type (remember, he too was an accountant?) prison experience either.

So, folks, expect to see me being the "dumb blonde" blogger writing on food, music and maybe, on foreign politics. Unless of course, a third force, one with clout and funding, comes along in our time to redress the wrong(s) done to the people.

Now which mouse will bell the "cat" ?

RAMESH RAJARATNAM used to be an active commentator on social matters who now talks about music and food.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.