I refer to the above letter Protect the decent from the indecent .

There is undoubtedly a need to curtail the excesses of indecency. The regular reports of how the Internet is used to supply pornographic images of children to those who would devour them is evidence of how dangerously base instincts exist in some quarters. Yet to try and make these things unavailable is a constant battle waged, not by moral guardians, but by police forces around the world who have a clear duty to uphold the laws of their countries.

By contrast, and dealing with a matter of much less severity, Malaysia has no clear federal law prohibiting exhibitions of affection between consenting adults. Hence, it has fallen to those who would make a name for themselves to try and instil what they and their supporters see as a moral standard. In this bizarre no-man's-land of debated intolerance lies many of this country's troubles. For by the iniquitous application of one religion's purported values to the rest of the population, there exists the potential for resentment.

In all of this discussion, where is any mention of the individual's responsibility? Are we forgetting that we all have the ability to choose our thoughts and avert our gaze? It seems the basic premise for the application of religiously inspired dictums, whether they be 'tudungs' in the police force or kissing bans at KLCC, is that since some people cannot be trusted to ignore or avoid that which is against their religion, those in power should completely eradicate anything that gives offence or does not conform to dogma.

The state most certainly has a duty to prevent abuse, but the harmony that prevails cannot withstand the continual encroachment of personal liberties. It is time for the government to recognise this and rein in those who would apply these haphazard moral values. The alternative is not moral decadence; it is the toleration of diversity.

Surely it is not too much to ask that we respect our differing mainstream values and, simultaneously, avoid taking needless offence?