PAS Youth chief Mahfuz Omar's so-called 'expose' in Parliament on EPF's investment in tobacco, gambling and alcohol companies speaks volumes of the intolerance and inflexibility of Islamic fundamentalism, which runs counter to the aspiration of Umno and Malay nationalism to make Malays/Muslims a modern race, able to compete with others in the world and enjoy the fruits of modern civilisation.

Modernity means we must accept certain Western ways because they are advance, sophisticated, progressive and enlightened. Why can't we (Malays/Muslims) be more tolerant, flexible and liberal? Times have changed. Let us have fun and take less seriously, the teachings of pre-modern men who were once regarded as sage and teachers.

We must live our lives here and now like all other races in the world, otherwise, we will be backward and left out of the mainstream in the developed world. Thus, it is important for us to re-interprete our scriptures in line with modern development. Let us not be too strict. Let us have fun.