I refer to Dr Syed Alwi Ahmad's letter Society changes, religions must too .

Syed Alwi is wrong in his statement which I quote: 'Malaysia is a parliamentary democracy with a 40 percent non-Muslim population. They are not 'dhimmis' and they have equal rights before the law'.

Actually, non-Muslim Malaysians are 'dhimmis' and for the sake of those who are not familiar with the term, below is brief explanation on the terms relevant to this issue:

Dhimmi: 'A dhimmi is a free, non-Muslim subject of a state governed in accordance with syariah - Islamic law. A dhimmi is a person of the 'dhimma' a term which refers in Islamic law to a pact contracted between non-Muslims and authorities from their Muslim government.

'Dhimmis were allowed to practice their religion, subject to certain conditions and to enjoy a measure of communal autonomy and are guaranteed their personal safety and security of property.

Meanwhile, a 'harbi' is a non-Muslim who does not live under Muslim rule, as opposed to a dhimmi. The 'harbi' is the inhabitant of the Dar al Harb - a state governed not in accordance with 'shariah'. A 'harbi' has no rights. If a harbi wants to enter the territory of Muslims (Dar al-Islam) he needs a safe conduct agreement called 'aman' (in modern days called a visa).

As such, non-Muslims in Malaysia are definitely 'dhimmis'.