It is with great disbelief and utter dismay that I read on the front page of The Sun today, under the heading 'We back you' that Malaysia, will support ANY action US President Bush takes against the terrorists responsible for the devastating attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

I hope what I have read is wrong.

If not, I hope that Malaysians will voice their concerns regarding such unqualified support. What has happened to the WTC and Pentagon which involved not only Americans but also citizens of other nations should be rightly and greatly condemned by one and all and may even be looked upon as a crime against humanity for it can lead to World War III and all the consequences it can bring about to humanity.

We can understand the grief and sadness felt by all those who have lost loved ones in the attacks. In this time of their sadness, love and hope instead of hate and war should be in their minds for the latter cannot bring peace and further occurrences of such attacks.

This should be a time for reflection, a time to think on why did these attacks occur and of what actions are required to prevent further occurrences of such attacks. It is certainly not the time to make war cries and call for war.

I cannot see any reason why Malaysia should be among the first to jump on the bandwagon and give undivided support to Bush and his actions.

War or retaliation can only lead to further loss of human lives and there can only be more widows, widowers, orphans and parents with no children.

The US may kill all those terrorists involved in the recent attacks, but for each one killed, a few more will rise up and take their places. Revenge will only cause the vicious cycle to continue. This cycle must be broken and all those involved must be brought to justice. Going to war is definitely not the answer.

Governments are very unlikely to be able to do just that, i.e. break this vicious cycle, by themselves for they have their own inherent vested interests and biases. All peace loving people of the world must unite and inform their respective governments that this vicious cycle must be broken and appropriate steps must be taken for the world to be rid of this vicious vengeance filled cycle.

All peace loving people must stand up and say NO to terrorism and NO to war.