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Straits Times (Used by permission)
• Umno wings slam Bar
• Bar: Dialogue will proceed
• Anwar: Bar Council should hold closed-door forum
KUALA LUMPUR: The Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia lodged a police
report to protest the Bar Council's open forum on religious conversion.
The report was lodged at the Sentul police station by MCAM
project director Noor Nirwandy Mat Noordin.
It is also learnt that there will be a demonstration by members in front of the
council's office today at 9am.
"The association is one of several Islamic non-governmental organisations
strongly opposed to the forum because it threatens the purity and pride of the
religion of Islam," Noor Nirwandy told reporters.
"It can also cause misunderstandings and ill-feelings in society which is
comprised of various ethnic races, which have cohabited peacefully and in
harmony for many years.
"The forum is regarded as an aggressive effort by certain
parties with hidden agendas to jeopardise the harmony of the multiracial
community in Malaysia."
He claimed the forum could be construed as a challenge to Malay special rights.
"Islam is the identity of the Malay race in Malaysia and this matter has to be
taken seriously so that the religion is not tainted by certain irresponsible
parties," Noor Nirwandy said.
About 100 association members marched from Masjid Jamek after noon prayers
yesterday to the Bar Council to hand over a memorandum protesting the open
forum.
Police observed the march but did not interfere. No untoward incidents were
reported.
Meanwhile, city deputy police chief Datuk Abdul Samah Mat confirmed that police
would be present at today's planned demonstration by association members.
"Police have not received any application to hold a public gathering near the
Bar Council.
"A demonstration in public areas without a permit is illegal," he said.
Umno wings slam Bar
KUALA LUMPUR: The Umno Youth and Wanita wings have voiced their opposition to
the Bar Council's plan to hold a forum on Islam.
Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the Bar
Council should not blow matters concerning racial and religious issues out of
proportion as this would cause tension among the different ethnic groups.
"Umno Youth wishes to remind the Bar Council not to abuse their freedom of
speech to such a point that it may anger any particular community."
Wanita deputy chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, meanwhile, said the
council should recognise the fact that matters concerning Islam came under the
purview of the Malay Rulers.
"Sensitive issues of this nature should not be made the subject matter of any
public forum."
Bar: Dialogue will proceed
KUALA LUMPUR: The Bar Council will proceed with the forum on religious
conversion today despite concerns voiced by various parties including cabinet
ministers, non-governmental organisations and Pas.
In a statement, council vice-president Ragunath Kesavan said
its concern was to address the conflicts of laws facing families caught between
the separate jurisdictions of civil and syariah laws.
He said it was not questioning the provisions of Article 121(1a), which
conferred syariah jurisdiction over Muslims.
While recognising and respecting Article 121(1a), Ragunath said it was unjust to
compel anyone to be subjected to laws and courts based on a religion that the
person did not profess.
He said the council was "troubled" by the continuing calls from certain quarters
that the forum be cancelled.
Claims that the forum would create misunderstanding, anger
and tension were in stark contrast with the government's assurances of more
dialogue, Ragunath said.
"The forum is not about conversion per se as the council endorses the absolute
right of individuals to embrace Islam.
"Instead, the forum will address the ancillary issues that arise from such
situations and will emphasise the need for laws, and a judicial system, that
protects everyone equally.
"It is the continued suppression of open and respectful discourse, not public
forums, that will cause tension and jeopardise national unity.
"We are taking the necessary precautions to ensure that the dialogue takes place
in a controlled and constructive manner, by holding the forum in a closed
setting and requiring participants to register for the event."
Anwar: Bar Council should hold closed-door forum
by Marc Lourdes
PETALING JAYA: For once, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the Barisan Nasional
government agree about something.
The Pakatan Rakyat leader, the government's greatest critic
and self-styled prime minister-in-waiting, said the Bar Council should hold its
forum on religious conversion behind closed doors.
His statement jived with the government's stand, as Deputy Prime Minister Datuk
Seri Najib Razak had made a similar statement on Thursday.
Anwar said while his position had always been to have an open attitude towards
religious issues, the council's chosen topic was an immensely sensitive one.
"I would advise them to have a closed forum and then engage those who are
concerned about the issue," he said during a press conference held at the Parti
Keadilan Rakyat headquarters here yesterday.
He said he had held a similar closed conference last year and
that while it was criticised, at least it allayed the uneasiness of the people.
"I have heard from some groups who worry that this discussion denigrates Islam
and while I do not share their view, I think we should be mindful of their
fears.
"Having it behind closed doors would be better," said Anwar.
The forum, which will be hosted by the Bar Council today, has been opposed by a
broad range of Muslim opinion.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar expressed reservations, declaring that
any discussion on sensitive matters which could stoke racial sentiments and
hatred should not be held.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
urged the Bar Council to call it off as it touched on "a very sensitive issue"
among the Malays and Muslims.
He said the council should be aware that Article 121(1a) of the Constitution,
which pertained to religion and the Malay race, should not be discussed openly
as doing so could provoke the Malays.
Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said if the Bar Council proceeded with
the forum, it could give rise to suspicion and tension between Muslims and
non-Muslims as well as undermine the country's harmony.
He said the forum should be called off for the sake of stability and to
safeguard interfaith and interracial relations in the country.
Pas Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub said if the Bar Council was adamant about going
ahead with the forum, it should be held behind closed doors.
The Persatuan Ulama Malaysia also waded in by warning the council to stop the
forum or face the ire of the Muslim community.
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Invitation to the Launching of the Bar Council Legal Aid Centre (Kuala Lumpur) Website 
So I guess some Malaysians are still not mature enough to discuss these issues openly. The sad thing is, the Bar forum is not even bad mouthing or discussing issues about the Islamic faith; rather, the forum is on the impact and outcome of Malaysian administrative governance over the issues on Islamic conversion. I believe the Islamic faith does not in any way teaches people to act violently, unbecoming or discriminatory. The worries that stir the non-Muslim's concern is due to the Malaysian administrative problems on the issue of conversion and the recognition of it. These are purely administrative and nothing more!
My father was down in Jordan few months back, according to him (hearsay) it is quite an eye opening to see how their country is like. Jordan (I think) is also a country with Islam as the official religion. Yet, according to my father, (after few meetings and casual chat with the local Jordanians) there is no such problem, red tape or crazy religious government officials that causes so much strive like what we see in Malaysia! In China, which (I believe) has quite a number of Muslims as well (please correct me if i am wrong), and yet, we do not see or hear such conversion creating mega issues. Hence, I believe there is nothing wrong with Islamic faith, it is because of the human factor that causes such unrest.
Darren Teo Sze Hoong