With reference to the letter by Tai Lo Chin School's non-halal order hard to digest , I fully agree with the action taken by the headmaster to disallow non-Muslim pupils from using the school canteen's utensils and premises to eat non-halal food.

Granted that although the non-Muslims form the majority, these pupils should also be made aware that they should not use the canteen's utensils to touch non-halal items, otherwise the Muslims will not be able to use them.

Moreover, the utensils belong to the canteen operator and he or she has the right to determine who should use the utensils.

Also, the canteen is operated by a private caterer. It has to protect its business by not allowing food bought elsewhere to be consumed within its premises. Name me one restaurant in Malaysia that allows 'outside' food to be consumed within its premises.

In addition, for the benefit of all races, I opine that the pupils should only have brought halal food (i.e. non-pork items) to school. Surely the pupils could still survive and get through their lessons without eating pork?

On that note, I also believe that respect for one another has to be bilateral. There has to be mutual respect for one another.

Thus, beef should not be sold or served in school canteens out of respect for Hindus and Buddhists. Too many a times I have come across cases where Malays seem to be ignorant of the fact that Hindus do not eat beef.

Consequently, instead of bringing chicken rendang, for example, to an office party, they would bring beef rendang. I have also bought, in a college canteen once, fried vermicelli (bee hoon) with beef even though there were a number of Indian students in that college.

In conclusion, if one is expected to respect another's beliefs, then his or her beliefs should also be respected by the other.