I refer to your report Suaram: Four Muslims who renounced Islam in limbo . I have also read Suaram's 2003 report on Freedom of Religion, Hudud and Related Matters in Chapter 5 thereof.

Suaram has done an excellent report on the state of (un) freedom of religion in the country. Congratulations.

I refer to the case of the four 'born' Muslims who are also Malays who have sought a constitutional relief of freedom of religion under Article 11 of the Federal Constitution. I have something to add which may add some clarity to the case.

From what I remember and understood of the facts, although the applicants sought to apostatise, I believe that they themselves believed that they are practising Muslims, although they may not adhere to the rituals and practices of the majority of Sunni Muslims in Malaysia.

For this belief, they were charged and found guilty of an offence which amounts to deviationism according to state law and evidence from Sunni religious officials and the Sharii judge.

I believe they sought to apostatise to enable themselves from living a heresy as far as they were concerned; that they are Muslims and should be able to practise Islam as they have accepted and understood the religion.

Unfortunately, in Malaysia their belief did not accord with how the Malaysian state has perceived Islam and Sunni Islam.

Their only recourse now lies with the Federal Court to interpret Islam as in accordance with liberal principles of freedom of belief, which I think a section of believing and practising Muslims here do uphold.

We must begin raising queries if the Malaysian state understanding of Islam thus far is restrictive of the freedom of belief of Muslims and Malaysians.