I refer to the Malaysiakini report, Wrangle over convert's insurance payout .

It looks as though we are in for another legal tussle between Indian Malaysians and their sons or daughters who have converted into Islam without the knowledge of their parents and next of kin.

The latest being the case of M Rukumony who is now trying her luck to see if the insurance monies left by her late son, Mohamed Redzuan Abdullah Ellaiappan @ Ragu, can be claimed by her since all evidence points in that direction. But the biggest question is will our courts' allow a convert's insurance money to be claimed by his Hindu mother? That's left to be seen as we all know our courts too well.

This is one of the main reasons why Chinese and Indian Malaysians do not see a future for themselves in the armed forces of the country. The chances or the pressures that one might face to convert in an environment which is very one-sided and pro one race, might sometimes be too much to bear for some.

In the hope that they might be rewarded with promotions and better perks since they have joined the main race, many of these Chinese and Indian Malaysian converts are later ostracised by their own friends and family and members of their own race and religion.

With the Insurance Act governing the insurance industry, the name of the beneficiary or the nominee will take preference over any other claimant to the monies that had been left by the deceased. The insurance company will be bound by the said Act to release the monies to the deceased mother but due to public pressure and intervening respondents like the Islamic authorities that is easier said than done.

I am sure that the issue of a convert's estate being beyond the reach of the non-Muslim claimants that they leave behind will be brought up and argued, and I pity the High Court judge who will be deciding on the matter. I am sure that the issue of jurisdiction will be brought up and the interpretation of Article 121(1A) of the Federal Constitution will be sought again.

We know all to well that this is the reality in our beloved Malaysia and yet Indian Malaysians have not lost hope. The divide and the distinct demarcation will always exist and it will be there as a matter of national importance for the so-called sake of unity. Are we actually united? Poor Indians and Chinese Malaysians with no political clout to depend on can only fear and accept their fate in the name of unity and in the hope that this doesn't happen to others.

Our prime minister says that it is the 'Malaysian Miracle' which according to him, the outsiders seem to wonder how we did it without violence and bloodshed? This is what we call social engineering the Malaysian way by ensuring the minds of the young ones be compliant and passive and never question the authorities. Because morally it is rude and unbecoming of good upbringing or plain "kurang ajar" if we do.