Your columnist James Wong Wing On has deliberately twisted Dr Kassim Ahmad's words ('Kassim Ahmad - second thoughts on Second University', April 27). Kassim was indeed arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA) and he totally disagrees with his arrest under the ISA. Kassim made it clear that his arrest was a vendetta by individual Umno leaders who had an axe to grind. Recall that that was the era of Ghazali Shafie as Home Minister.

No one will agree to being wrongfully punished as a religious deviant according to someone's whims and fancies but nevertheless a lot of people agree with the jail term punishment for religious deviation that already exists in this country.

Similarly no one will agree with wrongful punishment for consuming alcohol in public, nevertheless a lot of people in Terengganu agree with the fine and jail term for consuming alcohol in public in the state.

I hope you see the difference. Kassim lamented his wrongful detention under the ISA. Kassim also lamented all the rough treatment that comes with the ISA which he had to undergo. But he made it clear that he was victimised. That is why he never confessed to anything.