I refer to a report in The Star in which Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad called for religious understanding and not to use religion as a tool to divide the people. May I remind him to practise what he preaches? Isn't the government guilty of using religion to divide the people in Malaysia?

Doesn't the use of the bumiputera category and its inherent privileges for practically everything ranging from the special housing discount to student grants, divide the people?

The government recently built plenty of houses for teachers all over the country. All of these projects came with a surau. Now, I have no problem with a surau. I just want to know why there is no place of worship for Hindus, Christians and Buddhists. The government either thinks that only Malay Malaysians are going to be teachers or they think that other Malaysians do not need to pray.

Could the prime minister also give a list of approved buildings of worship for other religions over the last 10 years? I am not trying to be racist, but I want equal rights as I am paying equal taxes. I should not be discriminated against because of my faith. If I face discrimination in my own country, then no one should be telling others about using religion as a tool.