I refer to the letter Have zero tolerance for apostasy . I find the writer practising double-standards bordering on hypocrisy.

At one point, he said '... apostasy is a very serious offence in Islam and there are no'ifs' and 'buts' about it'.

However, at another point, he also said: 'True, Islam does espouse the freedom of religion (Quran, 2:256). Freedom of religion, however, is not to be confused with freedom to simply leave the religion and put the Muslim 'ummah' in jeopardy'.

So, the writer allows himself to use 'ifs','buts' and 'howevers', but forbids others to do the same. Can the writer tell us, given his 'however', on what does he understands by the concept of freedom of religion as stated in the Quran 2:256?

Many Malays have no choice but to be Muslims because we were brought up as Muslims by our parents immediately after we were born. As children, we had no free will and independent judgement. Children do not read scriptures and compare different religions' doctrines and practices.

However, as adults we have free will and independent judgement. Some may arrive at understandings and conclusions that may differ from our parents' and grandparents' who may have been illiterate or semi-literate.

Why should we defy our new conscience and conform to some ideas that contradict our new beliefs? Are we human beings or mere computers to be programmed by some self-appointed programmers?

Malays must continue to struggle to regain their individual rights to choose their own religion and beliefs after they have reached the legal age for adults. Let the self-appointed programmers continue to live with the delusion that they are in control of us.