This is with reference to recent news reports that the United States feels there is a lack of religious freedom in Malaysia.

Its fifth annual International Religious Freedom Report 2003 released by the US Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour mentioned that Malaysia favours a certain religion over others.

No one can deny the fact that religious freedom is in our constitution and that Malaysians have been practising their respective faiths freely ever since independence. Malaysians have also been able to celebrate their festivals in peace and with joy.

The government has declared public holidays for Christmas, Deepavali, Chinese New Year and Wesak. Most state governments allocate limited funds for building temples, even if land is not allotted for this purpose.

While there is freedom of worship, there is some truth in the US report. For instance, many state governments and municipal councils have demolished non-Islamic places of worship without notice even if these have been there for more than a century. Such actions hurt the feelings of the non-Muslims.

Other issues that need to be addressed are:

1. There is currently no air time for non-Islamic programmes on television and radio.

2. Non-Muslims do not have religious classes in schools.

3. It is difficult to get approval to build non-Islamic places of worship, while restrictions are placed on the height of structures which can't more more than 45 feet high.

4. It is not easy to get a temple management committee registered with the Registrar of Societies. Since January 1994, the word 'kuil' (temple) has not been allowed either.

5. It is hard to obtain police permits for Hindu religious processions - where issued, several restrictions are imposed.

6. The age limit of priests recruited from India has been raised to 45 years.

7. The Jawatankuasa Rumah Ibadat Bukan Islam, which is headed by a Muslim, doed not really understand the needs of other religions. Proposals from non-Muslims are not accepted or understood.

8. The federal government has yet to declare Thaipusam a national public holiday.

Even though we are proud that Malaysia is one of the few nations where religious tolerance is practised, laws and policies need to be relaxed for non-Muslims to practise and promote their religions more freely.

The government could set up a special committee to study the issues. It should study the US report without prejudice, understand what it is all about, and make the necessary amendments.