I wish to reply to the letter by Ming Hoe and the questions he has raised. First it must be understood that Islam and democracy are not synonymous. Democracy does not create justice and freedom.

It is possible under democracy for the majority to victimise the minorities such as in Indonesia. Also minorities - African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans and Native Americans - have never held the post of president in the world's oldest democracy, the United States of America.

That is why it is imperative for the leader of any country to be bound by an independent group of advisers, or council of ulama . Many democracies practise detention without trial, eg concentration camps in Guantanamo Bay, and ISA in Malaysia.

Thus Islam endorses only the good parts of democracy - such as the freedom of speech, but this freedom does not extend to religion bashing. The bad parts of democracy is done away with - for example, the ability of big-time corporations to lobby the government.

Thus Islam is the antithesis of those who indulge in corruption, cronyism and nepotism. I believe PAS' blueprint for Malaysia is in everyone's best interest.