I refer to the Malaysiakini report Protesters stop Bar's 'conversion' forum .

I am truly sad to read what has happened over the weekend. Religion is just religion and it is up to individuals on how they interpret and practice it.

Being a Chinese with many friends from other races practicing other religions, I have yet to come across someone who has taken such an extreme view that any discussion on religion is ‘playing with fire’.

It is interesting to note that those protesters who proclaim their absolute faith in Islam can be so unforgiving in giving out ultimatums to end the forum. I don't think Islam teaches such aggression. Even my Malay friends shake their heads with disgust at such an extreme outburst.

Did it ever cross the minds of the protesters that the forum was held to discuss real issues instead of inciting racial undertones like what others have claimed? It is obvious that resentment was the intention when people who should know better, become instigators.

Do they feel proud that they have had a hand in stopping this forum? What will happen to those who really have an issue on this? Is their welfare being taken care of? Are their legal rights being protected?

Are their social rights being upheld? We are dealing with fellow Malaysians. Why preach and teach all the good things and yet we fail to practice it to protect our own citizens?

Although I am glad that there was no violence meted out by the police on the protesters, I am actually surprised how easily these protesters gained access to the forum to ‘heat things’ up during and after the forum.

Is this the same police force who mercilessly cracked down on peaceful protesters at the Bersih rally that saw seven civilians injured?

Although I do not condone violence, I fail to understand how the police could let a few ‘slip’ through when the Bar Council building was supposedly tightly guarded.

Are the safety of the Bar Council organisers and those participants in the forum only worth a ‘warning’ that they should wrap up the forum by 10am?

Is a discussion forum amongst adults so difficult in the 21st century? What good is the law of a country which proclaims to protect its sovereignty when it doesn't even practice its own law?

I have utmost respect for the Bar Council. At least they have shown that they care for the ordinary citizens who are finding it so hard to make their voices heard.

The rakyat needs more people like these who will genuinely fight for our rights regardless of race, religion and background for they understand they are protecting Malaysian citizens.

God help us all.