Referring to Eric Cantona Malaysia'a letter 'EPF must resist temptation of 'sin' stocks' (Dec 8), when he defined sinful and halal investments, he only referred to the belief of Muslims. What about the beliefs of the other Malaysians?

If EPF as an institution that represents every Malaysian in the workforce has to take into account everyone's cultural sensitivity, then I am afraid there is bound to be something sinful about every company. A company that sells fried chicken may not be amendable to a vegetarian, a lottery company to a Muslim, and a multinational company to an antiglobalist etc.

The writer mentioned that non-Muslims should know more about their Muslims friends. I agree. But how about the other way? Our education system leaves very little room for understanding of the non-Muslim cultures, with a lot of emphasis on Muslim and Malay culture. And the views and personal beliefs of the socialist, the antiglobalist, the vegetarians, the orang asli (I mentioned this since there are a lot of the logging companies which are probably also on the halal list, though they are sinners in the orang asli's eyes) etc. I don't dare suggest that their view is not important to them, or to us.

The writer seemed to think the right of the majority takes precedence over the right of others. There is room enough in this world for everyone, and there's a written history long enough to bear witness to the stupidity of trying to enforce the majority's belief on the minority. Events in post Sept 11 should teach us that this world is interdependent, where seeing and knowing the sensitivity of everyone, no matter how weak or strong that person is, is a matter of necessity and respect.

On the matter of governance, the writer proposed a two-tier system. Policies will be governed by the civil and religious systems. Total chaos will result as an action that is totally legal and proper in the eyes of the civil law will be vetoed out by religious beliefs. Since every practitioner of a religion may have different views on each matter, just think of the resulting chaos.

The EPF is to help Malaysians to have a decent live after retirement. The success of the EPF is important because it means that many people will not be subjected to the cruelty of a hard life in their old age. This should be the major driving force behind EPF's decision, for failure to do so is just as sinful in terms of failing to provide for the social welfare of millions.

Just keep EPF a civil matter.