It is extremely depressing when I read that the authorities - whether in the form of the federal government, state government, local government or religious authorities - attempt to moralise and "correct" perfectly acceptable social behaviour like hand-or-shoulder holding, on the grounds that they are indecent, immoral and not in line with 'Asian values', whatever that means.

Two latest controversies come to mind; the issuance of numerous summons in Ipoh by the municipal council to hand-holding couples, and the assault and arrest of a Muslim man for touching his girlfriend's shoulder by Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor's personnel.

Really, what is your problem! Are you Taliban in disguise? Has the 'war on terrorism' in Afghanistan flushed all of you to Malaysia? So what's next?

No talking between the sexes unless you are related or married? No education, work or driving for women? Banning of music, dancing and movies? Everyone to dress in jubah-serban and purdah? Wearing of beard? Attempting to 'speak' like Arabs with sporadic "ana" and "ente"? Stoning? Chopping of hands?

The persistent calls by the government for first class infrastructure and first class mentality will continuously sound silly - not unlike that of the former Iraqi Information Minister if these mindless actions and thoughts were to continue.

While the world is moving progressively forward - you seem bent on persistently behaving like a third world despot - clutching on to whatever little power you have and flaunt them with impunity in an attempt to return to medieval times.

Try to read books; expand your knowledge; talk to other people; surf the net; and know and understand that there are OTHER people in the country and the world. Not everything boils down to your illiberal, restrictive and mysogynist interpretation of the Quran and Hadith.

There is a whole diverse world out there - a multitide of different races, cultures, religions, moralities and standards. There is an assortment of important issues that should concern all of us - war, poverty, diseases, corruption, sustainable development, globalisation, democracy, human rights, justice.

It would be nice if life was that simple and that you would go to heaven if you do not hold the hands or shoulders of the opposite sex or forbid others from doing so.