I apologise on behalf of my fellow Malaysians to our Nigerian visitors ([#1]We are people, not animals[/#], Feb 17). Yes, we are racist. We appear polite and yes we would never say it in front of you because it is so un-Asian, but anyone darker in skin colour than us is perceived to be 'dirty' and crooks.

I also apologise for the behavior of our 'gangsters in uniforms'. They, however, are not racist. They treat all Malaysians badly. They beat them up in detention and harass motorists. So don't take that personally.

I have a friend who owns an apartment with three rooms. He rented out a room to two Nigerian Sunway College students. Every potential Malaysian renter (who are also students) comments that he/she has valuable equipment and therefore do not think they can rent the rooms for safety reasons. He is now stuck with two Nigerians and two empty rooms.

Our society is so obsessed with race. Every form we fill has the category 'race'. The satellite TV Astro subscription form has 'race' on it. Our identity card, birth certificate, etc.

The ruling coalition government is divided along racial lines. So it is no wonder why we are a segregated racist society. We have regressed in the last 18 years! It was never this way in the earlier years of Malaysia. Unfortunately, our selfish leaders desire it to be this way, so that the ruling coalition can continue to govern.

It is said that "All men are created equal" and "God shows no partiality". Therefore, whether they are clerks or office boys, black or yellow, we should treat every human being with respect.