“An unpleasant nest of nasty, materialistic, and aggressive people, careless of the rights of others, imperfectly democratic at home though quick to see the minor slaveries of others, and greedy without end.”

- Isaac Asimov, author of ‘The Currents of Space’

COMMENT | Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing and Seputeh MP Teresa Kok are examples of how Malaysia is divided into two countries.

The first is where one section of the polity is under religious laws and the second is one where the polity is so superficially unencumbered by the religiosity of the state.

Ting’s declaration that he is not a Muslim is a reminder, and some would argue thorn in the side, to those elements which desire a theocratic state where all are under religious law regardless of religious affiliation.

Non-Muslims are often told not to trespass or interfere with Islam but this is not a two-way street. It never has been.

Keep in mind the sole criterion for the Kedah menteri besar banning number betting shops, for instance, was his religious beliefs which not only infringed upon the rights of non-Malays but also demonstrated how these political operatives would flippantly bypass the Federal Constitution in service of their religious beliefs.

This is the perfect definition of...