I have been reading the exchanges between Dr Syed Alwi Ahmad and Mahdar Tahir with a distant interest over the last few weeks. However, the last comment made by Mahdar Tahir that non-Muslim Malaysians are 'dhimmis' rendered me foaming mad at the ignorance certain quarters of the Malaysian society we live in. I categorically reject the fact that, I, as a non-Muslim Malaysian, is categorised as anything.

In summary, Mahdar Tahir says I'm a 'dhimmi'. Let me quote what he defined a 'dhimmi' as: '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.'

I'm not a 'dhimmi' because I am not a subject of a state governed in accordance with 'syariah' law. I'm governed by the federal constitution and the laws therein accord me rights as a citizen of this country.

I am not subject to 'syariah' law and actually, other than matters dealing with family and personal matters, neither is any Malaysian citizen. We cannot be charged with a criminal offence for not following the syariah law, can we? I do not recall anywhere in history where our forefathers made any 'pact' with a Muslim government because (let me say this slowly) we-are-NOT-an-Islamic-state-governed-by-a-Muslim-government.

So please Mahdar Tahir, consider all facts first before stating a factually inaccurate opinion that could potentially offend other citizens of this country. It's small-minded radical people like you that have turned my beloved Malaysia into the festering pit it is now. Of course, if Mahdar Tahir is not Malaysian, then I take it all back, for then he wouldn't know what Malaysia is really like.