I refer to the report Police ignored mob, say forum organisers .

Pak Lah's government has engendered a greater openness and freedom to discuss and air one's views. The press, too, has began to report opposing news to satisfy the great intellectual hunger in our country for serious discussion.

Too often, newspapers are silent on dissemination of opposing news on local issues. Articles from foreign newspapers are lifted and reproduced.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Abdul Aziz has to be commended when he came out to condemn the protests against the public forum organised by Article 11. Not only did the police do nothing, but they advised the forum to be called off.

Mindless objections are raised to stop discussion of issues. It is only by debating opposing news in the market place of ideas can there be intelligent decisions. As it is said, it is better to debate an issue without settling it, than settle an issue without debating it.

Unless more openness is allowed and the right to be heard protected, there can be no formulation of intelligent policies. As the French philosopher, Voltaire said, 'I may disagree with you but I will protect to the death your right to disagree'.

The greatest danger that a society faces is the closing of the mind and the mouth. Letting a hundred schools of ideas contend will lead to a bloom of flowers of ideas, inventions and discoveries. This is an age of ideas, knowledge and inventions.

The government must lead those who are ignorant and do not know. Teach them. Let not the tail lead the dog.