I never intended to write any letters to malaysiakini , for the reason that I have never felt so strong about an issue to actually put it into writing. The recent exchange in the letters forum though, has compelled me to express myself.

In his letter, ' Not planning to adopt a Western liberal lifestyle ', Khairull Anwar Jamlus spoke of the great injustice done towards Muslims and Islam in general the world over.

To him, there is a need not to conform to western values and the liberal way of life as such consequences would lead to the 'horrific statistics' (of death and rape in the West) as provided by Mr Khairull himself.

True enough, a lot of injustice is being committed everyday in this world, but not only to Muslims but other races and religions as well. We witness Tibetans fleeing from their rightful land oppressed by the new global superpower China, Nigerians becoming victims to a government that is nothing but a mere puppet to Shell head honchos, and so on and so forth.

One of the greatest injustice people like Mr Khairull could actually commit, not only to non-Muslims but Muslims in the country, would be in believing that PAS offers a true solution to the alternative: the 'western' liberal lifestyle much frowned upon by Mr Khairull.

Mr Khairull should most definitely be aware that injustices committed against Muslims is a shot in the arm for human rights. We see western liberal countries like the United States and the UK, as mentioned by Mr Khairull and is coincidently where he is residing as well, as more human rights conscious than we are. I believe even Mr Khairull would agree to that.

Then, why deny us the access to greater human rights even more by putting a ' pangkah ' on the much-dreaded PAS symbol? I have read the PAS manifesto book, or drawing book, or hastily-done-propaganda-book-to-fish-for-votes book, whatever you would like to call it. With all sincerity, I pray it would not be part of our federal constitution at any time.

Regardless whether we are Muslims or non-Muslims, we are all ultimately Malaysians. As a democratic country, more or less, we have the right to live the way we deem fit and just, regardless if it is liberal or otherwise, or a balance of both.

For goodness sake, PAS is a political party. This country does not need its citizens to believe that the party can offer up a true form of Islam and is therefore the most rightful party to lead a multi-ethic and multi-racial society.

No political party, not Umno nor PAS, in my most humble opinion, should be seen as the true vanguards of Islam in these difficult times. Politics and religion should be as far apart as water and oil.