Kuala Lampur, April 25 -- He calls me late at night. He's incensed. Apparently, the folks on radio did it no justice.

At first flattered, he thought me best to write about it, to advance his fears shared by millions. Then it dawned, I'm the only one who'd pick up any call just before midnight to hear a rant.

He wants to defend the right to continue with our tradition of dining in the wee hours, whether after meetings or night clubs, whether in a food-court or the mighty mamak - with or without mist fans.

And yes, I'd defend it too, the right to mamak. If mamak can open past midnight, if mamak can find the will and the underpaid coterie of Asian labourers to man them restaurants night after night, then so be it.

Willing buyer, willing ...