The prime minister's directive to immediately stop all Article 11 forums probably has taken all parties by surprise.

And coming one day later is the European Union's invitation to our PM to deliver a keynote address at its Sixth Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem) 'to share the country's experience in race relations and interfaith issues'.

It is indeed very sad. While certain influential quarters have seemingly not reached a level of maturity and ability to rise above mere emotions and proactively promote, nurture and protect a multi-religious, multi-ethnic and a potpourri of cultures, the world out there already recognises Islam Hadhari's concept and our long history of national unity.

In this context, then, the PM's directive to stop all efforts to promote inter-faith understanding and the efforts to create an awareness and acceptance of our Constitutional rights and privileges is quite unnerving.

While, ordinary citizens will be inclined to place their trust and confidence in our leader, be willing to accept the wisdom of Pak Lah and support the government of the day, the ground issues cannot be ignored.

Politicians seem to be reinforcing a belief that anything to do with race and religion is 'sensitive' and therefore should be avoided at all costs. The mantra being preached is that discussions on interfaith understanding is 'dangerous' to a multi-religious environment.

While some public demonstrations comprising of tens of thousands in numbers are condoned or even permitted by relevant authorities, others adding up to a few hundred people championing mere basic concerns are put to a raw end.

Meanwhile, talk to any pacik, uncle or grandpa at the marketplace and one would be further confused. Malaysians from all walks of life look forward to going beyond mere tolerance as they aspire and value co-existence. In almost every neighborhood, the respect for each other's differences and diversity is cherished and respected.

So what are our politicians trying to do? Have we all misunderstood them? Or are they leading us to believe that we are failing in our ability to maintain harmony? Or are we to believe that citizens are incapable of bridging their differences further and only politicians have the authority to do so?

Citizens must fortify themselves further, building on the strengths of our peace-aspiring multi- religious, multi-ethnic and rich cultural history. Politicians have no business to divide and rule but should instead thrive on the solidarity of this nation.

Anyone causing undesirable rifts that will chip away the need to promote, nurture and keep building on our greatest asset - a multi race and multi religious environment - must be crippled immediately.

Let us not curb the environment further which will only fuel any extremist views and fundamentalists breeding in our midst.