It is frustrating to note that whenever Malaysia is mentioned in the press along with religion, the non-Muslims are always presented as being descendants of Chinese and Indian migrants. This does not only happen with the foreign press, but also in the local press.

It seems that the mainstream media forgets that there is a large indigenous population in Sabah and Sarawak who are not Muslims. At the time of independence in 1963, only 23% of Sarawak's population was Muslim while Sabah had only 37% Muslims.

I would like all Malaysians to know that the indigenous communities of Sabah and Sarawak contribute a significant percentage of Christians in this country. In fact, some of the leaders in the federal cabinet are indigenous Christians as well, such as Maximus Ongkili and Bernard Dompok.

It was also revolting to see the recent Umno general assembly where some of the speakers indirectly attacked the Christian faith in Malaysia. One speaker spoke against the usage of the Malay language in teaching non-Muslim religions. The speaker was obviously oblivious to the fact that the Malay language is an important language in the Christian religion in Sabah and Sarawak. We in Sabah and Sarawak have spoken Malay long before we agreed to the formation of Malaysia.

It was embarrassing to note that there were Christian delegates (or rather observers) who are Umno members themselves at the assembly. How could such people sit at such an assembly and stomach all that insult and disrespect?

Perhaps at the next United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Organization (Upko) meet, delegates should brandish a 'bakakuk' (home-made shotgun) or 'dangol' (machete) and speak against 'foreign' races in Sabah. They should also speak against Kadazandusun Christians who commit apostasy by converting to other faiths.

But then again, the point here is to please note that there are indigenous Malaysians who are not Muslims and to respect this, especially the media and Umno.