Most Malaysians except the criminals and extremists believe in and want the rule of law to be applied without fear or favour, regardless of race or religion in our country.

Malaysians therefore warmly welcome the prompt response from our prime minister and our cabinet that, “Police will investigate the group that took part in the protest” against the church that put up a cross on its building that was used for worship, at Taman Medan.

But now all law-abiding Malaysians who respect each other’s religions and faiths wait to see what action will be taken by inspector-general of police (IGP) Khalid Abu Bakar on what is generally accepted as a serious breach of religious harmony, peace and national unity. Indeed we all hope that government will mean what it says.

The proof of the pudding will be in the eating! The whole concept of 1Malaysia, the constitutional guarantee of religion freedom, and the future direction of our country, will be largely determined by the way the government deals with this dangerous threat to our peace, stability, progress and prosperity, as a united Malaysian nation.

The IGP must now show by word and deed, that he is truly professional in the enforcement of the rule of law. He has a special burden as one the leaders of the protest is his own elder brother. But he has to show to the government and the Malaysian public that he serves, and to his men that he leads, that law and order will be up upheld at all times and under any circumstance.

Then public confidence in the whole government and especially the police force will increase rather than decrease.

Most Malaysians will also share the firm and fair sentiments expressed by the Group of 25 senior retired Malay/ Muslim civil servants, to whom I can readily relate as their former colleague. I salute and support them for their consistent courage in promoting religious freedom and harmony and fighting extremism. I hope their laudable stand is strengthened by more Malay and other leaders.

The G25 rightly pointed out that “Islam is a religion of mercy and compassion and there is no place in Islam for intolerance of other faiths and places of worship.” But non-Muslims could easily get the wrong impression of Islam, if the government does not strongly condemn these growing protests against places of worship like churches and temples.

The government also needs to take tough action to show that it means business in promoting national unity, the freedom of religion and indeed all fundamental freedoms in our country.

National and International confidence in the government’s capacity to ensure good governance and to manage the economy more effectively can suffer seriously. This will depend on how fairly and professionally, the government, IGP Khalid and the Royal Malaysian Police deal with this serious threat to racial and religious harmony in our beloved country. Let’s not forget that both foreign and domestic investment as well can rapidly diminish due to falling confidence.

The challenge the government faces is to now show that it means what it says about wanting to deal with the protesters at Taman Medan strictly according to the law - without fear or favour and regardless of race or religion. Malaysians and the world are watching with high expectations.

This protest at Taman Medan could be the challenge and opportunity for the government to show us all its real will to fight extremism from all quarters and to build national unity, please.

RAMON NAVARATNAM is chairperson of Asli/Centre of Public Policy Studies.