I would like to add my two cents worth to the 'dhimmi' issue. While I am in total agreement with those who say that non-Muslims are not 'dhimmis' and that we have a constitution that says otherwise too, the matter is not so clear cut when deciding whether non-Muslims have officially become 'dhimmis' in Malaysia.

Painful as it is to admit, the fact remains that Malaysians have not resisted enough the moves that have brought us to a situation that have put non-Muslims into a position very much like 'dhimmis'.

If non-Muslims are not 'dhimmi-like', then why can't they have places of worship in reasonable locations and numbers? Why have applications for burial grounds and other religious administrative matters been indefinitely delayed in so many cases? Why do they have to preach and practice their faiths in constant fear that, at any time, some authority somewhere will decide to block their activities? Why is it so difficult for non-Muslims to book public venues for religious functions and so on?

No one can deny that, over the years, we have reached a situation where non-Muslims - whether they like it or not - have been pushed into a clearly unequal position. So it doesn't really matter if we should be called 'dhimmis' or not. For all practical purposes we have just about reached that condition and there's no point crying about it now.

What is pertinent is how we have got ourselves in this position and, of course, how we can get back to a position of equal respect and standing. Last I heard, this is a democratic country and we elect our leaders. Up till now, we have apparently elected leaders who think this is an Islamic country and are hell bent on making it one. Now if we keep on voting for these people (like what we did in by-elections like Ijok) are we not endorsing their declaration that this is an Islamic country?

Have we not given this declaration a ringing endorsement in two general elections ever since Dr Mahathir Mohamad declared unilaterally that Malaysia is an Islamic country?

Why, dear Malaysians, do you then protest now? We are simply getting the leadership that we chose to elect. And until enough Malaysians realise that the only way we can reclaim this country is by voting for those who stand on a platform that promises equality and justice for all Malaysians, we will continue to move ever so slowly towards 'dhimmitude' or an even worse status for non-Muslims.

So to all those who contributed to the mess we are in by voting for the clowns that are running this country, I have a message - please stop whining and do something about it. The coming general elections comes to mind.