I refer to the letter JJ didn't mean to insult student by Abdul Kadir Azhari. I am sad to see that Abdul Kadir feels the need to defend Jamaludin Jarjis. Even if Abdul Kadir is correct in his interpretation of Incident 1 and Incident 2 (which I do not admit), his admission of the accuracy of Incident 3 should have made it clear to Kadir that Jamaludin Jarjis's conduct was indefensible.

There is nothing funny about the colour of one's skin (or for that matter any physical characteristic or dressing preference of a person) and especially to associate it to that person's social standing.

Unfortunately, this is a common trait in Malaysia nowadays, especially, sad to say, amongst some members of the majority ethnic group, wherein it is okay to make fun of minority ethnic groups ('It's only a joke') and the minority groups are supposed to stomach it.

However if the shoe was on the other foot, a 'keris' would be unsheathed at the Umno general assembly. I think some Malaysians need a serious lesson in the reciprocity of tolerance. On the flip side, my faith in Malaysia as my homeland is constantly being reinforced by the thoughtfulness, kindness and compassion of ordinary Malaysians of all ethnic backgrounds.

Well, Kadir, you defend people like Jamaludin Jarjis all you want. It is not going to change the fact that as far as any right-thinking Malaysian is concerned, politicians who demonstrate that they have a base mentality do not deserve our votes.

And political parties that put up candidates like this should realise that the loss of the vote is a loss to the party itself because of characters like this. I, for one, will not vote Barisan Nasional for so long as its candidates have such views.