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Remarkably, despite the repeated attempts at disrupting the peaceful meeting by the trespassers, the more than 300 participants of the Article 11 Forum sat through the proceedings, without anyone moving out.

As a Malaysian with strong democratic inclinations, I say without fear or favour that this is indeed a sad day for Malaysia.

The public forum was organised by Article 11, a loose organisation which is supported by 12 registered societies and one in the process of registration.

It was held in a meeting room in a hotel. Some came in to disrupt the forum.

I do think they did their organisations a grave disservice by indulging in such disruptive conduct, especially when one of them stood up, took the microphone and asked for the meeting to end.

While their right to be heard was given, they chose by the action to deny the same right to people with different views.

If Malaysians cannot openly discuss their views, however opposed, how do they resolve any problem?

Indeed, it is a sad day for Malaysia.

It was alright for people to demonstrate or distribute leaflets. It was alright for the group to attend the event - that was the best form of engagement and dialogue with them. Contrary to the leaflets, the forum was not to attack or deride any religion or any Prophet but to educate the people on their rights under the Constitution with the aim of uniting all races and religions under our country. We are not told by Stephen why the police advised the forum be cut short especially when it was held behind closed doors in a hotel but I presume it was due to certain actions of the demonstrating group. I will therefore readily acknowledge the decision taken by the organizers as they would be in the best position to assess the situation.

Nevertheless, if it was due to the confrontational or aggressive nature of the demonstrating group, then the question which arises is whether this group have properly conducted themselves. Human rights norms and the Constitution only allow peaceful demonstrations without arms. Be that as it may, I sincerely write this to those who bravely spoke, attended and organised the event: continue to keep up the tremendous work that is being done and do not fall under any pressure - you are doing the right thing, and doing the right thing sometimes require sacrifices. Your sacrifices will forever be remembered, and in bigger ways than you ever can imagine will augment the fabric of this country and its peoples. The larger picture which this event probably evidences is the inability for some groups/people to constructively engage with others, in contravention of established principles of all religions and laws of proper human conduct. The Malaysian Bar is in full support of Article 11's initiative as evidenced by our leading participation (with other groups) in the same and will continue to lend assistance in whatever way is necessary. The Bar is statutorily tasked to represent, defend, help and speak out for all citizens in this country to uphold their rights under the Constitution, whether the position is "politically-correct" or not, despite what others might say. We should not be and we will not be cowed by any pressure exerted on us till the last of our dying days.

The demonstrators, Edmund, actually began gathering from about 7.30am to 7.45 am.

I estimated their number to be no more than a hundred, although someone said it could be 150.

At about 9.30 am, led by their leaders, the demonstrators began chanting and shouting slogans in front of the hotel.

Then, the police and hotel management told the organisers to cancel the forum because the police feared the crowd may turn unruly. Their information was that the crowd would barge into the hotel. Hence, the fear of the hotel management.

With the echoes of what occurred in Apcet II in 1996 in mind, the organisers explained that about 300 people were already in the meeting room, despite the access to the hotel carpark being blocked by the demonstrators. Some participants complained that they had to park a long way and walk to the hotel.

Then after some negotiation, it was agreed that the forum will have only 30 minutes instead of the requested one hour and so it began at 9.45 am.

Promptly, at 10.15 am, some of the demonstrators who had come into the meeting hall, heckled.

That was when Haris, accompanied by a police officer, took the microphone and ended the meeting.

Throughout it all, the participants remained undeterred.

My reading of the situation is that an audience of 300 on a Sunday for Penang is a good turnout. The turnout shows that people are aware that things are not right.

Malaysia will be celebrating 49 years of independence this year and it is heartbreaking that instead of progressing towards greater tolerance, freedom of speech and openmindedness, there are pockets of society who fear that others are not mature enough to think for themselves and act to prevent open discussion.

I urge members to talk to friends both within and outside the profession about the supremacy of the Constitution and about Article 11. We may disagree with each other but at least let us give each other the opportunity to speak.

ALHAMDULILLAH !!!

WAHAI saudara-saudaraku En. Malik Imtiaz, Dr. Shad Faruqi, Dato' Zaid Ibrahim, Sisters In ISLAM dan En. Haris Ibrahim semoga diberi taufiq oleh Allah dalam mencari kebenaran...

Sejarah telah menunjukkan Firaun pernah hidup tanpa diserang penyakit walaupun selsema selama 15 tahun hingga mengaku dirinya sebagai "Tuhan yang Maha Tinggi"....Kamal Atartukh begitu bangga untuk menjadikan bangsanya sebagai "orang putih" dimana...konon atas dasar kemodenan TAPI dimanakah dan bagaimanakah mereka dikenang & diingati sekarang....

Ingatlah hidup kita bukanlah boleh menongkat langit, maka janganlah kita membuat sesuatu yg akan membuat kita menyesal kerana tidak dapat membetulkannya semula kesilapan bila kita sedar kelak...

Sayangilah dana bajailah nikmat IMAN & ISLAM yg telah dianugerahkan tanpa kita perlu bersusah payah mendapatkannya ... pernahkah kita terfikir kenapa kita diPILIH sebagai seorang ISLAM sedangkan rakan disebelah kiri & kanan kita tidak....FIKIRKANLAH nescaya rasa syukur kan hadir....

Mohamad Hairol Kamal

Please use reason to appeal.

We know that appealing to race and religion is appealing to sentiments. This is more efficient than appealing to reason, but in the end it lacks substance.

Let us focus on the substance, let us focus on the song, not the singer.