Only government spokesmen can sign their names

I am a first year student. Having read the article 'Bed Time Story' in Suara Siswa. I fairly agree with the writer's dissatisfaction towards such a racist society. However after reading through Suara Ra'ayat's review. I find his analysis more convincing and correct. 'Bed Time Story' merely stirs sentiments and provokes hatred among the different races but provides no solution. I find it most encouraging and helpful for Suara Ra'ayat to express bis views in Salient.

Salient provides a good place for us to exchange our opinions, since we don't have a chance to express them at home. Malaysia is a so-called democratic country in which any people who dare to speak up for the people against the government policies is liable to be sent to Batu Gajah (political prison) under the Public Security Act without trial. Any magazines or newspapers which reveal the unjust society or print any article criticising the Government would be banned e.g. the monthly Journal 'Truth' edited by Abdul Rahman Haji Embong (Assistant lecturer in University Kebangsaan Malaysia) land Sablha Abdul Samad (lecturer in Mara Institute of Technology). There is no freedom of speech nor press in Malaysia under the present government. People like Henry Lawhutt, James Masing, L.C. Goh. Lim Hee Klang, Victor Fong, Chong Kah Kiat etc who send letters to Salient with their true names is just a plain fact that they can only speak for the government (otherwise they would be in Batu Gajah!)

A 1st year BCA student