Khoo Kay Peng's letter supporting Barisan Nasional's declaration that Malaysia is an Islamic nation seems to have been written on the basis of naivety and ignorance. He had argued that the declaration and Gerakan's nod was to mitigate the effects of PAS' onslaught into the various dimensions of our country.

Try to recall our life in the 1960s and now. Look at how the government had gradually introduced the tenets of Islam at the expense of the non-Muslims. Of course, we have been patient with the many things thrust upon us all in the name of containing radical Islam. But what happened: Kelantan and Terengganu still fell to Islam.

Do not be so naive Khoo. If you are telling us Umno has to be supported to contain radicals, the announcement of Malaysia as an Islamic nation is not going to change that.

Perhaps, Umno will tomorrow tell us that they have to talk the same brand of Islam as PAS to contain radicalism. The problem I think is not the announcement per se but whether this government can be trusted with anything at all.

If Khoo makes a comparison with the landscape in the 1960s and now in terms of how political Islam had reared its ugly head, then he would not be so naive. If what I am saying is not true then, I do not think anyone would have the moral right to talk about the racial polarisation we are so concerned of. Do you know that in the 1960s, we talked mostly of nation-building?

I have a lot of Muslim friends. Being a senior officer, I receive a lot of invitations to attend "buka puasa". The puasa month is unique only to Islam and I have always seen it with respect and envy since no other religion mandates its followers to understand fellow human beings in the way it had done.

But do you know what is happening? Buka puasa events in hotels with all its galmour has become a norm of the day. For that reason, I refused to attend any buka puasa events in any hotel. Instead I break fast with my friends at their houses or some small eateries for convenience.

So, do not get me wrong. Without such fanfare during the early days, we still had the bond as Malaysians but now, well you see for yourself. Perhaps, Lim Kit Siang, being a political person, may seek political mileage from this but that does not mean that the truth is far from reality - the fear that this process will continue unabated.

Trusting politicians would be the last thing I would ever do. They may agree for their own political expediency. After the May 1969 incident, the NEP was envisaged to bridge the gap between the haves and have-nots with a specific time-frame to achieve its goals. But when the time neared its end, a lot of excuses were given to legitimise its continuation, under another name. So, do not blame us if we lack the faith in such pronouncements.

Politicians lack sincerity. I may pen a few quotes to negate Khoo's quotes and there are plenty but what is the use? The reality need not have to be mirrored through quotes but at least let us not be naive.