I refer to the letter Raimah Bibi's ultimate sacrifice by JTB. I do feel sorry for her predicament but Malaysians have no one to blame but themselves. The government's iron-fisted policies towards Muslims who wish to renounce the official version of Islam or Islam in its entirety did start at a certain point in time.

It was the growing influence of Al-Arqam that first alerted the government to the threat caused by 'religious dissension'. Al-Arqam had a following of between 10,000 to100,000 people and was popular amongst Muslims for being unique in blending Islamic traditions with capitalist inspirations.

In other words, Al-Arqam was more than just a religious organisation but was a political force to be reckoned with. Much like the Falun Gong which is banned in China for allegedly being a political party masquerading as a religious sect.

The threat posed by Al-Arqam led to hundreds of their members being detained without trial and persecuted for their religious beliefs. However, Malaysians did not voice one iota of protest or dissatisfaction when scenes were aired on television of hundreds of Al-Arqam members huddling together in police tents.

In fact, even non-Muslims displayed a total lack of empathy by regarding it as an internal Muslim affair. However, history has shown that injustices can never be isolated as they are like cancer which will spread to other parts of the whole.

It is only obvious that if the authorities are allowed to mistreat Muslims, then it will see fit to mistreat non-Muslims too as well. Freedom of religion must be applied totally and not selectively in Malaysia.

The attitude of many non-Muslims is that they let the government do as they please towards the Muslim population but when it regards matters concerning non-Muslims, the constitution must be upheld. This selective application of human rights is neither feasible nor moral.