COMMENT We are not sure where Malaysia, as a multi-religious and multi-ethnic nation, is heading towards with regard to religious and cultural tolerance.

For many years after Independence, it was all talk about ‘Malay dominance’ or ‘ketuanan Melayu’, and the religion of Islam took a secondary role, it merely reinforced Malay dominance. However, in the last decade or so, Malay dominance seems to be giving way to ‘Islamic dominance’, and ethnicity invariably plays a role in this.

While it is agreed that the nature of politics is largely responsible for the current state of affairs, but then such kind of politics is causing a tremendous rift between the Muslims and non-Muslims in the country. Unfortunately, we don’t have the kind of leaders who will be able to administratively steer the country away from religious and ethnic pitfalls.