I refer to the Malaysiakini report Seeing red over poem 'likening Kok to dog'.

I do not know Teresa Kok personally but from the news that has been circulating about her since the infamous ISA detention, I gathered, she is very amiable and a rakyat's person at heart.

She is always at hand to help anyone regardless of race, colour or creed. She devotes her life for the rakyat and only has good and sincere intentions to make their lives a little better.

A wakil rakyat truly deserving this title bestowed upon her by the rakyat to serve and not to be served.

It is indeed sad to see some people on the warpath to discredit and demoralise her for highlighting the inhumane treatment of ISA detainees who need to be given some human dignity whilst under detention.

She has had to bear the humiliation of being incarcerated in order to speak up for these people.

I do not think any religion on earth condones or propagates this kind of cruel treatment of a fellow human being.

The main issue for her detention was for allegedly touching on a sensitive religious matter affecting the people who profess that faith.

But even though explanations were given by those concerned to substantiate that there was no wrongdoing by her, the authorities were still all out to use this as an excuse to drive in fear and subservience.

Newspapers have a noble duty to uphold the truth and justice and report with fairness to all and not to incite trouble or racial tensions. Regrettably, race and religion are being freely exploited by certain press to gain more sales and publicity.

What is even more regrettable is the silence observed by the home ministry when articles of such a destructive nature are published. Nevertheless, they are quick to nab someone else for seeking justice and the truth.

Attacks currently being made against Teresa Kok are viewed as being vindictive possibly because of her blowing the whistle on the dreaded ISA and the way it is being imposed on so- called ‘enemies’ of the state.

There are people bleeding the country dry by their avarice. There are people involved in shady land deals and contracts that do not follow the laid out procedures. Such stories are being highlighted almost daily but a lot of reluctance is seen from the government to move.

Perhaps the reason is that if action is taken, it may have a domino effect as there are too many hidden skeletons in the closets.

Let’s put aside our racial and religious inclinations and try to look at the goodness of what Kok is trying to promote for everyone rather than seeing everything in a religious and racial context or as an infringement of one's right.

Everything can be solved through proper dialogue and explanation. No need to always issue threats.

Newspapers, I am sure, have a code of ethics to strictly adhere to when reporting especially in a multi-racial country like ours where ethnic tensions can be easily aroused or exploited. Newspapers should use their power wisely to bring about racial harmony.

Prejudice sells newspapers but newspapers should resist this temptation to exploit human fears for commercial gain.

It should recognise its duty to contribute fully to the promotion of racial harmony and national unity and not anything to the contrary.