Although I am non-Muslim non-bumi minority in this country, I agree with many of the points raised by Min Num and Anti-Rasisme Tulen.

The many criticisms spewed by the mass media against PAS' Negara Islam Document stem from a combination of ignorance, prejudice, and fear.

I believe that until readers choose to read the document for themselves, they should refrain from comment.

This does not apply however to professional crony-politicians and propagandists like Fong Chan Onn and The Star's Wong Chun Wai, who have been charged to perform their master's bidding - that is, Umno.

I hardly think that anyone from MCA-Gerakan would make any kind of comment about PAS or religion without direct instructions from Umno.

It should be well apparent to any but the most mentally impaired Malaysian that with our most rewarding multi-ethnic political patronage system, you can buy just about anyone.

On another point, I also agree that there are lots of ethnic minority non-bumi rednecks, chauvinists and bigots in Malaysia.

The problem is that there are no examples by leadership which might educate our rednecks, bigots and chauvinists (both bumi and non-bumi) to reform themselves into more progressive, liberal and enlightened beings.

In Malaysia, you are expected to differentiate between us and them.

Umno-BN would not have it any other way.

At every elections we have heard the ruling party say: "We must always guard against Them".

I have not heard a single Umno leader say to his supporters we must not treat anyone differently because of their racial or ethnic background.

I am not saying that this state sanctioned discrimination in any way excuses the masses of non-bumi bigots who behave disgracefully towards ethnic bumis in the workplace or the marketplace.

I know the difference between right and wrong, and I am disgusted by ignorant stupid displays of prejudice and bigotry whenever it occurs irrespective of the ethnic background of the perpetrators or victims.

I believe that people like Min Num and Anti-Rasisme Tulen are sincere in wanting to make this country a better place. Whether or not I agree with the methods or path they have chosen to achieve their objectives is another matter.

I do have a lot of respect for religious and spiritual persons.

Unlike the unthinking brainwashed masses who read the Star, NST and Utusan, I am not so easily swayed by the ugly, vicious, bigoted scare-mongering articles dictated by Umno-led propagandists.

At the end of the day, the non-bumi minorities will vote for PAS in Kelantan and Terengganu, and for Umno-BN elsewhere in Malaysia because you vote for whatever you are familiar with.

To be frank, I rarely hear complaints in public or in private by non-Muslims or non-bumi minorities about PAS in Kelantan or Terengganu. To be frank, I have heard far more praises than criticisms from these minorities in Kelantan and Terengganu especially when it comes to transparent and honest dealings with government officials. This compares very well with the nightmare government corruption stories I often hear about in the Klang Valley.

I am certainly not at all enamoured with the prospect of living in a theocratic state, and I do worry about the nitty-gritty workings of how such a state is supposed to function.

Nevertheless, I am not about to let a bunch of cynical paid BN-crony propagandists scare me into blindly voting for BN.

May the cleanest and least discriminatory party win.