Mohammed Tajuddin Mohammed Rasdi has come to the defence of syariah-compliant Rayani Air as "truly" an Islamic effort on the part of a Hindu couple, a husband and wife team.

Tajuddin makes a preposterous claim that they must have studied the Quran well and are equipped with Islamic knowledge to be able to enter this business world. While I know the couple are Hindus, I am in no position to attest to their "so-called" Islamic credentials!

Tajuddin should not speed-read my article without understanding its core argument about how doing business using religion might be counter-productive in terms of disrupting social harmony in a country like Malaysia with its multi-racial and multi-religious population.

While I respect Tajuddin to differ from me, I don't expect a learned person like him to come out statements that were not made by me in the first place. I never compared the Hindu couple to extremists like Ali Tinju or Jamal of the 'red shirts', or that matter Abdul Hadi Awang of PAS. Tajuddin in his emotional defence of Rayani Air seems to go overboard,

I said that AirAsia was successful not because the stewardesses were "scantily dressed", but because of its superior marketing strategy that focused on the common folk.

It is sad that Tajuddin, who says that he is good Muslim, can only remember how the women staff are dressed in the airline. Really, this speaks volumes of the kind of religious knowledge that he derived directly from the teachings of Prophet Muhammad!

Tajuddin, in his emotional support for Rayani Airline, seeks to justify why syariah compliance is necessary for Muslims in the county. But why impose on non-Muslims? He cites cases of discrimination of Muslims in Malaysia, especially in the use of swimming pools in hotels and other places.

He seems to be disturbed by women who are not properly attired. It seems he is a highly insecure person who needs to hide behind Islam! Again, this speaks volumes about his concern for his fellow human beings, immaterial of their religious affiliation.

Sorry, I am not using fear or drawing examples to justify why syariah compliance is not necessary in Malaysia.

By the way, Perkasa and Isma are racist outfits that should be condemned by all Malaysians. They have no love for DAP and vice-versa. Don't worry, for my writings cannot incite both these outfits any further. They have already reached their peak, somewhat.

Tajuddin, please don't worry about the reputation of my party. We can take care of ourselves. But one thing is sure, we will continue to oppose injustices of whatever kind. We will never agree with the apartheid policies of the present retrograde government.

Sorry, it is not for me to judge whether I am good Hindu or not; it is for others to judge. I want to be good human being and remembered as one. I believe in the cause of humanity. I want Malaysia to be for all Malaysians, irrespective of race or religion!

The problem with you, Tajuddin, is that you simply cannot accept and tolerate dissenting views. Sad to say that your view on Islam seems to harp on how women are attired and the kind of rituals followed. Who is insulting the dignity of women? Let the readers judge.

P RAMASAMY is Deputy Chief Minister II of Penang and the state assemblyperson for Perai.