The federal constitution says that Islam is the official religion of the country. This does not however mean that it must be treated more favourably compared to other religions.

This inference by Edmund Burke Fan (EBF) in a letter to malaysiakini reflects the kind of thinking made by a Malaysian brought up on a culture of dependency. It seems that the special economic privileges awarded to the bumiputera also extend to religion. It is an argument only defended by those who do not know, or want to know, the meaning of terms like equality and justice.

It is most interesting to hear EBF claim that Malays are not happy with many things in Malaysia. I would challenge EBF to switch places with some of the poorer sections of non- bumiputera in this country and then he/she will know who has more reason to complain.

Malaysia will only really begin to progress and prosper when its citizens realise that all of us are created equal, and that we should run the country with the view of achieving justice and equality for all, rather than narrow racial and religious agendas.