I refer to the letter What happened to dialogue and respect?

Many Malaysians would have thought of the questions raised by the writer at one time or another. Though there may not be absolute answers to his/her rational and logical questions, nevertheless, I would like to share my views.

Religion and ethnic origins are important in Malaysia, more important than being Malaysian because almost all policies by the government (including in Kelantan) are promulgated first and foremost for the benefit of one particular race and religion then followed by others.

Islam has politically, economically and socially taken centre stage in Malaysia because Umno wants to outdo PAS in Islamising Malaysia and to prevent the latter from gaining political control of the Malay heartland. So discussing Islam, human rights, civil liberties, etc, even from the constitutional aspect, is perceived as challenging Islam and questioning the trite mantra called 'Ketuanan Melayu'.

If we still persist in wanting to discuss, then one must recall what happened to the public forum organised by a 14-member NGO coalition called Article 11 in Penang recently, where even the police shirked their responsibility to protect a legitimate and lawful forum.

This incident clearly illustrates the government will only create a better and safer Malaysia if Malaysians share the government's vision and mission. If not, you are asking for trouble even if your actions are in accordance with the law.

There cannot be a fruitful dialogue, let alone respect, at this moment in the country because most, if not all, important matters concerning Malaysians politically, economically and socially are considered as 'sensitive issues' which cannot be discussed or raised and there us enough laws legislated in the government's arsenal to prove this point to those who oppose.

Even in Parliament, there is no respect accorded to MPs who raise these so-called sensitive issues pertaining to the rakyat. For doing so, they were called by fellow MPs as 'biawak', 'keling', 'tak suka boleh keluar Malaysia'.

One MP was called racist 41 times by his fellow colleague for raising the plight of students studying in unrecognised medical universities overseas while another MP was warned at his office by members from the ruling party for raising in Parliament distortions about history in school textbooks.

The writer ponders 'I am now wondering if I live in a developing or regressing county'. Indeed, we are living in a developing country physically but in order to be truly developed in letter and spirit, our leaders must have the progressive mindset to treat all Malaysians irrespective of race, creed, religion equal and equally.

Politicians must be statesmen who think about the next generation rather than the next election.