Human rights group Suaram today criticised the group of protestors who had disrupted a public forum in Penang on Sunday to discuss the supremacy of the Federal Constitution.

Suaram said the action of the 200-odd 'unruly demonstrators' had led the organisers to end the forum prematurely and this was a "setback to the spirit of open and democratic dialogue in civil society."

"Suaram respects everyone's rights to freedom of expression and the freedom of peaceful assembly to voice out his or her concerns on certain issues.

"This right should be exercised consistently with the rights of others to similarly hold opinions and beliefs, in addition to expressing the same," it said in a statement today.

"We should use our freedom to promote (that of) others, not to subjugate others," it added.

Suaram also pointed out that the forum had 'nothing to do' with the Inter-Faith Council (IFC) which the demonstrators seemed to have found so offensive.

"The forum was open to public and the demonstrators could have attended the forum and expressed themselves and engaged in the debate of the issues.

"They would also find that the forum has nothing to do with the Inter-Faith Council at all that seems to be the main contentions of the demonstrators," said the group.

The forum, organised by civil society coalition Article 11, was part of a road-show urging Malaysians to reclaim their constitutional rights. Penang was the third stop before heading to Kuching and Perak.

Made up of women's groups, faith-based bodies, the Bar Council and human rights organisations, Article 11 has reportedly collected over 18,000 signatures and plans to meet Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi soon.

'Uncalled for'

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had also criticised the demonstrators and described their action as "uncalled for".

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz had described the protest as wrong and stupid .

Leaders of the protest, however, have defended their actions.

They claimed that the forum was held under the guise of constitutional rights and its actual motive was to tackle matters pertaining to apostasy and conversion out of Islam.

Meanwhile, Suaram also slammed the police for having forced the organisers to stop the forum while failing to rein in the protestors.

"The police should have allowed the forum to proceed as planned and at the same time, ensured that the demonstration was held in a peaceful manner and not disrupt the forum.

"If some of the demonstrators become unruly, it is the duty of the police to take actions against the demonstrators and not stopping the forum," it said.

Nazri rapped

In a related development, the Malaysian Islamic Students Association (PKPIM) took Nazri to task over his comments.

"It is true that our nation is a democratic nation, but this does not mean we should back principles to gamble the future of Islam in this country," said its secretary-general Mohd Hilmi Ramli in a statement.

He added that the minister should follow the example set by Abdullah, who also asked the organisers of such events to be careful.

Mohd Hilmi said holding such forums was a clear challenge to the standing of Islam in this country and hurts the sensitivities of Muslims.