I read with a sense of wonder the rationale applied by the Umno Bandar Tun Razak, as reported in malaysiakini ("Confusion over land behind construction of 'illegal' Umno building", Oct 31).

In its letter to DAP MP, Teresa Kok, the Umno branch defended the need for another community hall, claiming that the Malay-Muslim community there would find it "difficult" to use the City Hall's community hall as it could be "polluted from the point of religion as the hall is used by all races".

No wonder Star recently reported a case in Penang where a chauffeur, M Moganasundaram, 48, had to suffer the indignity of a Bank Simpanan Nasional lady staff holding his finger with a tissue paper to take his thumb print! No doubt I have to congratulate him for his quick wittedness when he had the presence of mind to do likewise in picking up the money she handed him, with a paper, lest he be contaminated by whatever her sins were!

If indeed branches of Umno believe that the presence and use of government-built buildings and community halls can be "polluted from the point of religion as the hall is used by all races", it will not be long before we shall find the justification for constructing a second system and structure for everything in this country so that Muslims and the "contaminated non-Muslims" may continue to live in peace in this country.

Kudos to you M Moganasundaram!