I am shocked by the extreme secularist position taken up by No-To-Islamic-State in "Let's not adopt a 'Talibanistic' lifestle" (Nov 29). However, I am glad it was published because it exposes the current of sexist and socially irresponsible thoughts beneath the high-sounding and political correctness of 'secularism'.

As a non-Muslim father of two daughters and one son, I wish the writer could be more sensitive to the establish moral values of all socially responsible Malaysians, Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

Whatever our religions and secular ideologies, we must not allow our society to degenerate into one envisioned by the writer: a moral anarchy where children and young persons, both male and female, are not safe and secure in the midst of gamblers, alcoholics and smokers. The population is endangered by alcoholism and smoking.

My family, for one, would not want to see a Malaysia where people do not work and earn their living decently and honestly, but instead resort to gambling or investing hope in games of chance.

While I oppose the establishment of an Islamic state for Malaysia, we must sometimes be reasonable enough to agree that there are sometimes good proposals by PAS and other Muslims. Prohibition or at least moral discouragement against alcoholism, gambling and smoking are universal values that are supported by all religions, and even secular cultures on medical and psychiatric grounds.

PAS MP Mahfuz Omar, it appears to me in the news report, was merely asking the EPF to stop investing in tobacco, alcohol and gaming companies.

He is right. The government should not encourage these kinds of businesses by investing in its production or circulation. On the contrary, the government must discourage them by levying heavier taxes on the production and consumption of these items which are unhealthy to the bodies and souls of all Malaysians.