I am surprised, that to date, the Home Ministry has not warned several mainstream newspapers, mainly the vernacular o­nes, for their daily dose of shocking front page photographs ofwar causalities in Iraq.

These rather distasteful, gory pictures may also create hatred and tension among certain ethnic groups in Malaysia, notably between Muslims and Christians.

After all, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has gone o­n record as saying that this was a war against Islam, while others, around the world, have echoed that it was a war between "Muslims and Christians".

We also hear reports of religious clashes in several countries notably, Sri Lanka, Nigeria and Pakistan, between Muslims and Christians.

It is not that the editors of these self-righteous newspapers are not aware that these reports may fan racial and religious sentiments.

Perhaps, Acting Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi needs to deliver a second national televised statement and issue a private advice to these editors "not to start a fire".

Abdullah's first national televised speech was very well received and won admiration from the world over for its content, pragmatism and political maturity.

We must remember that there are also Iraqi and Palestinian Christians who are being killed daily.

It is time our print and electronic media editors be reminded that we are a multi-racial and multi-religious nation and that due care be given not to fan local racial and religious sentiments that, o­nce ignited, may be difficult to control.