As a former Malaysian diplomat based in Rome from 1973 -1975, I am compelled to respond to Pastor Carey's letter as to why our government has not established diplomatic relations with the Vatican during the last few decades.

In the world of diplomacy and foreign relations, many factors need to be addressed in accordance with certain global, trade and economic considerations rather than religious affinity. Thus the question of others having diplomatic relations and the exchange of envoys as quoted by Pastor Carey did not reflect Malaysia's absolute need to establish formal diplomatic relations with the Vatican, from the day of our independence until today.

Perhaps, Lim Kit Siang should examine the criteria of Singapore's diplomatic relations to reach out to the rest of the world, for which Malaysia had been acting on behalf of the Republic on certain diplomatic and consular matters without any formal residential accreditations.

In the absence of an official clarification from Wisma Putra, the custodian of our foreign relations and policy, perhaps I should attempt to share some of my personal views as to why the relations between Malaysia and Vatican could not be established to the level of a diplomatic accreditation status via our diplomatic representation in Rome.

I believe Malaysia was never perceived as 'Anti-Pope of the Holy See', as in the absence of a formal diplomatic tie, there had been numerous unofficial relations established between the two governments through the Brotherhood of Catholic churches and other relevant educational institutions without any religious limitations or constraint.

During my tour of duty in Rome, I had the privilege to accompany our former ambassador Wong Pow Nee on many of his personal or unofficial visits and homage to the Pope at the Vatican. Wong and his family were devoted Catholics of the first order and were good friends of the Pope and the Council of Brotherhood at the Vatican.

Even in the early 1970s, there were no rush for both governments to formalise a diplomatic relationship and there have been no pressure to influence our diplomatic approach towards the Vatican, either directly or through a diplomatic channel. For the record, my two children were born in the government hospital managed by the Vatican in the year of 1974 and 1975 respectively.

On the eve of the prime minister's departure last evening for the Vatican from Subang, someone closed to me had posed the same question as to why Malaysia did not have a formal diplomatic relations with the Vatican since we have had our Embassy in Rome from the 1960s.

Based on my experience, I had to express a similar view in the context of our foreign policy as well as the criteria to establish a diplomatic representation in the Vatican. I believe Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad would have loved to include Wong to join his official delegation to meet the Pope, if only he is in good health and medically fit for travelling on this historical journey to the Vatican.

Personally, I feel that Wong who hails from Penang had contributed so much to Malaysia even before our independence during the Tunku's era, both in MCA politics at state and federal level through the alliance, should not be forgotten by the present political leadership.

I am sure it's not a big deal to bestow an appropriate public recognition or even considering the Federal Royal Award of Tun by the King for his past and historical contribution to the nation. (I sincerely hope that the Federal government, Mahathir himself as well as MCA will take note of this appropriate recognition proposed for Wong who has been conferred the Tan Sri title).

Lastly but not least, I urge that as loyal Malaysians, one should not criticise for the sake of criticism but to provide constructive alternatives to the government and leaders in power for the glory of this nation, blessed in so many ways from our independence in 1957, through the various changes and progress made by our past prime ministers to the current dynamic leadership provided by our most beloved Mahathir and his capable Cabinet team members under Barisan Nasional, both at state and federal levels.

I say that people who live in glass houses should not throw stones and for those who sail on the same boat should not rock the boat in order to disrupt the journey and to prevent us from reaching our final goals and destination as a proud nation of the third world from Asia.

In the same tone, may I wish Mahathir on his success for yet another important international diplomatic initiative, with the view to provide a better political platform and solutions to the global problems of the world as part Malaysia's small contribution to world peace and prosperity.