I read with amusement Dr Mahathir Mohamads call for Muslims to unite against Israel. True, Israel has committed many atrocities against Palestinians, and the world has been reacting to it quite strongly. The United States has also publicly called for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the occupied territories.

For the issue to be solved, it will take long time and the combined effort of many countries, not Islamic countries alone. Malaysia is just a very small country as compared to Iran, Iraq, Egypt, the United States, European Union, Russia and China. Malaysia is also geographically remote to the Middle East. We can't really do much substantially.

Instead, Muslims and non-Muslims in Malaysia should unite to fight corruption and abuses of power.

Let not our attention be diverted from scandals like Perwaja, Anwar Ibrahim and the ISA detention of legitimate dissidents.

Our political energy to search for justice is much more effective and fruitful if we direct it here and now.

Is it not ironical and hypocritical to condemn Zionists who terrorise Palestinians, while ignoring the Zionist-like techniques of police treatment of legitimate dissidents in our own land? Charity begins at home.