I refer to Wong Loke Soong's letter 'Public rallies: the authorities' viewpoint', which purports to speak for and behalf of some Malaysian 'authorities' (and across the causeway too?)

But whoever his 'authorities', his arguments can still be publicly challenged because secularism says that all earthly authorities - whether Malaysia's Special Branch or Singapore's Internal Security Department - are subject to public questioning.

The authority in the letter seems to have forgotten that not all public rallies against the Iraq war were held indoors at Bukit Jalil Stadium. Only the one organised by Umno Youth and its political and 'intellectual' fellow travellers were held there; the event, insensitively, turned out as a hedonistic festival of songs and food.

There were other anti-war rallies in the streets in Kuala Lumpur. The police did not interfere, and the government was morally supportive of it. These anti-war rallies were political in nature but they was allowed. But, the apolitical anti-rape rally was not allowed . Why the double standards?

Do public rallies and demonstrations necessarily bring chaos and disorder? Look at the July 1 demonstration of 500,000 people (against national security legislation) in Hong Kong. There was no disorder and no chaos.

Why? Because the police in Hong Kong are more civilised, less paranoid, more democratic, people-friendly and professional.