There have been a number of questions asked about the right of non-Muslims to comment on Islamic matters in Malaysia. In this context, the question has arisen whether malaysiakini could be regarded as anti-Islam for publishing such comments.

These are valid and serious questions. I do agree that non-Muslims have no right to comment on Islamic laws and practices when their application pertains to Muslims alone.

It is not my place, for example - as a non-Muslim - to participate in any debate about how a Muslim woman should dress in order to be compliant with her religion.

However, it is my place to do so if Muslim leaders, for example, demand that non-Muslim women should also be compliant with the dictates of Islam. Non-Muslims have their own religions, cultures and mores to which they would rather pay heed and regard; and rightly so.

Moreover, I believe that it is my right to comment when Muslim leaders try to impose the Quran as the supreme law of the land to replace the Federal Constitution (as PAS wishes to do). I do not wish to be governed by the laws of a religion I do not subscribe to: thus my right to comment, criticise and debate.

If this principle is accepted by malaysiakini , then it can never be accused of being anti-Islam. In order to draw the line, it needs to use its editorial discretion not to publish comments by non-Muslims on Islamic matters which purely relate to Muslims and Muslims alone.

However, it must forthrightly publish comments from non-Muslims which touch on issues in which Islamic law and practices are sought to be imposed - directly or indirectly - on non-Muslims; whether these emanate from PAS or Umno.