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I refer to the letter Negarakuku: Understand where composer is coming from .

Sometimes even the most serious issue has its hilarious moments. I burst out laughing upon reading TMF's last paragraph. The writer wrote, 'In moments of patriotism, I often sing our NegaraKu in various styles and even change the lyrics into something I feel more patriotic, either in my car or even in the shower". The writer must be either the most patriotic Malaysian alive or the greatest liar in the country.

Personally, I am amazed and deeply disappointed with some of the reactions of to the 'reworking' of the NegaraKu by Wee Meng Chee, the young Muarian currently studying at Taiwan. There is a section of Malaysians who have taken the stand that this issue is all about the freedom of speech and that Wee is just expressing the frustrations felt by many urban Chinese in his controversial rap video. This is the same line of argument taken by the Center For Independent Journalism of Malaysia.

I would readily agree with CIJ and applaud Wee's creative skills and boldness in expressing the social issues facing his community and country had he not made offensive and demeaning references to the Malay community and Islam.

I would have also cheered and concurred with the young man's claim that he made the video out of his love and patriotism for his country had he included even a single word of Bahasa Malaysia to the lyrics of his song to convey these sentiments.

Had Wee made a rap video using the same melody and same lyrics save for the references to race and religion but with a different song (let's say Taiwanese national anthem), no one would have bothered.

The current administration of Pak Lah has allowed a much greater degree of individual human rights and freedom of expression. In fact, the social issues raised by Wee are mild compared to some of the writings one can see in the cyberspace and blogosphere.

What disappoints me more is the attitude of the political parties such as PKR and the DAP in supporting this reckless act. It infuriates me to read that the Dapsy had tried to get Wee into its fold. This is clearly an act of stirring up racial sentiments for political expediency.

Malaysians, for all their passionate cry for Bangsa Malaysia, have the unfortunate tendency of viewing every issue and event in their narrow ethnic perspectives. For once, let's remove our racial and religious blinkers, and view the issue in an objective and neutral perspective.

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