The conditions under which an individual may legitimately defect from Islam as set forth by Zahid Abbas negates fundamental freedoms of the human person. Not to mention that they are also self-contradictory since it would be anomalous for a person to apostatise from a religion which he acknowledges to be perfect.

Besides, many would dispute the exclusive and superlative claims he makes for Islam. In India, where the Muslim population is second only to Indonesia's, the terms which the writer has enumerated can never be enforced.

Thus it seems to me that he is merely propagating his own rigid principles. It would be better if we could get the official take on the incidents discussed below .

In 1987, Joshua Jamaluddin - a Malay Muslim who had converted to Christianity - was detained under the ISA and subjected to brutal torture, the details of which have been extensively documented by several human rights NGO's.

They tried to force him to recant his belief in Christianity but he steadfastly refused. Eventually, they let him go but on condition that if he is to practise his newly-adopted faith, he is to leave the country. Well, he is now in New Zealand.

One Ashley Lopez from Ipoh and his wife - the daughter of a Haji who renounced her religion of Islam by a deed poll - had to seek refuge in New Zealand to practice Catholicism, the religion of her choice .

In the 80s, Susie Teoh a second former in Pasir Mas, Kelantan was forcibly made a ward of the state Religious Department. Her parents were denied access to her. Her father filed a habeas corpus petition but for reasons unknown, the Federal Court only commenced hearing of the case after the girl had attained the age of 18 and when she was married off to a Muslim.

The presiding judge, while conceding that the parents had the right to decide for their daughter, said that the hearing was merely an academic exercise since the girl had already passed her 18th year and was already married.

When a Buddhist, Hindu or Christian converts to Islam, national security is apparently not threatened. Nor there be need for any consideration be given to the sensitivities of the family and community of the convert.

But the reverse process immediately assumes national importance requiring the application of drastic legal and extra-legal measures.

The frantic attempts by Umno and PAS to portray themselves as the only true followers of Islam have made it extremely difficult for non-Muslims so that even innocent displays of affection in public have become gravely sinful, attracting legal penalties.

Strange morals govern us for while it is okay for a minister to continue in the cabinet after being tainted by corruption, the hapless couple is deemed to have committed a grossly indecent offence.