After reading the replies to Dr Syed Alwi Ahmad's letter , I suppose it is he who may have to do some serious soul-searching. Ramu Rathkum, in particular, hit the nail o­n the head.

It is gratifying to know there are progressive Malays and Muslims who are prepared to think outside the grid, away from inequitable and bigoted notions of race and religion. And they have the moral courage to express their convictions and speak out in defence of the truth.

These are the sort of intellectuals Malaysia desperately needs. They produce the kind of ideas that great nations are built upon. They are true patriots. We should not fall into the trap of letting politicians exploit race and religion at the expense of true national unity and the country's overall interests.

The notion that Malaysia belongs to the Malays alone is a betrayal of Islam, and our nation's founders and their vision. Since neither Islam nor the constitution makes any race superior to others, any attempt to perpetuate a Malay hegemony is fraught with peril.

Dr Syed Alwi's assertion that o­nly Muslims can rule Malaysia because it is an Islamic nation, and any sharing of power a concession, is typical of those who wrongly assume power or think they have a special place under the sun. In ancient times we called them feudalists, and their chutzpah backed by arrogant force. This notion is unacceptable in a modern and free state.

Malaysia's road to prosperity was built by the blood, sweat and tears of many races. When the people's constitutionally derived rights and the country's laws become concessions from the government, be sure that things have gone awry.

Let us not forget that some facets of Malaysian history that teach us that Muslims can prosper under non-Muslim but just rulers. The Malay population in Penang increased markedly in the 18th century because British rule protected the poor Malays who emigrated there from the mainland, to flee from debt slavery practised in the Malay states.

Even today we note that Iraq, a Muslim country beset with intra-Muslim feuds, being re-built by the American-British coalition. Many modern religious autocracies exist in Muslim countries because of faulty implementation of Islam. Would Dr Syed Alwi have preferred to live under fellow Muslim Saddam Hussein?

It is a myth, therefore, that o­nly Muslims would prosper under Muslim rule. Perhaps this was the case in the days of Prophet Mohammed and some more enlightened Muslim rulers. However, the Arab experience today tells a different story. As I write, Muslims are killing Muslims in nearby Aceh. Iranian exiles have been agitating for the removal of Iran's religious rulers. So, Islamic rule is not synonymous with justice for all Muslims.

Some of the happiest and most pious Muslims are found in Western countries where the different sects of Islam flourish. In all these 'infidel' countries, Muslims are protected by the law, enjoy equal rights and obtain financial grants from their governments to promote Islam. Do non-Muslims enjoy such reciprocal rights and privileges in Muslim-ruled countries?

Those who manipulate race or religion for political gain are the true enemies of the people and the state. Sadly many religionists, although sincere, operate under the delusion they are o­n a divine mission and this false sense of security makes them arrogant.

People can be sincerely wrong like the terrorists who kill themselves and others including Muslim bystanders, thinking they will get o­n a fast track to paradise. What a tragic deception and waste of lives.

I agree with Dr Syed that the Barisan still offers the best choice in the absence of credible alternatives. This is o­nly because some of the alternatives have been unfairly disqualified and fouled.

Governments may be excused for making genuine mistakes, but governments may not be forgiven for wanton acts of cruelty, dishonesty and brazen arrogance. Whatever a country's religion, the government exists to enforce law and order, not oppress the people.

In the interest of the nation, the people must remind the government that it exists to serve them. If honest citizens do not bother to tell their government when something is wrong - perhaps out of fear or for other wrongly-perceived reasons - they are then living under a slave mentality.

I agree with calls for the ISA detainees to be released, including former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim. It is as clear as noon that he did not get a fair trial. If we honour justice and the truth we can't allow our fellow Malaysians to be political victims. What do we tell God when we pray?

Meanwhile we should not invoke God's name in vain, draw all kinds of wrong inferences, and allow the innocent to suffer by ignoring their suffering. As a follower of Jesus, I am in solidarity with my fellow Muslim countrymen who remember those in prison as if they themselves were suffering. I appeal to the government to dig deep and find the compassion to forgive and forget.