I refer to the news item Mahathir urges US Muslims to vote Bush out of office.

I feel sorry for Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the former prime minister of Malaysia for having to stoop so low and call on all Muslims in US to vote against Bush.

Isn't this the same man who raised a ruckus when the former US vice-president Al Gore visited Malaysia and spoke about freedom and democracy including for opposition parties?

What happened to Mahathir's principles? He, as a former prime minister, should stay out of the internal affairs of a foreign country. It is the privilege and right of every American citizen to cast his or her ballot to elect the US President as he or she see fit.

It is not for Mahathir to tell them who to vote for.

What is even more irritating is to see Mahathir use Islam to create a wedge among US citizens as if religion is the only basis how US citizens live their lives.

My suggestion to US citizens is to simply ignore Mahathir and let him not bother you in any way.