I refer to letter Penang forum: CAP, SAM. Idris not involved and the on-going controversy pertaining to the protest against a public forum organised by the Article 11 coalition.

Like thousands of others, I am deeply saddened and upset at the attempt to involve the president of the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) and Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM), SM Mohd Idris, in the on-going controversy pertaining to the forum and the demonstration therein.

Saddened and hurt because, as a consumer advocate of more than 35 years and one trained by him, I am only too aware that 'Mr Idris' (as we fondly call him) is a very honourable man whose life's work has purely been to create a positive change in people's mindsets and to address the need to promote consumer and environmental awareness in the country.

He is truly a religious man and the last person to condone or to promote any form or brand of narrow-mindedness, intolerance, and bigotry. In fact, the reverse is the truth.

He has always encouraged and spurred us on to organise various forms of dialogues and discussions to improve our understanding of consumer and environmental issues with tolerance, mutual respect and dignity.

And the thousands of religious leaders from all religious persuasions plus civil servants, farmers, fishermen, estate workers, teachers, professionals, undergraduates, members of the civil society and trade unions who have participated in the various seminars, workshops and conferences organised by both CAP and SAM will bear testament to this fact.

In fact and for the record, I should know because I was given the task by Mr Idris in the late 70s and 80s to organise several of these workshops including one where the participants were pastors from various denominations in the country a feat unmatched by any other organisation to this day!

The writer is president, Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam, Selangor.