‘If she is to be charged under the ISA, what about the ambiguous role played by the police not to mention the highly seditious statements made by some politicians and the rowdy mob at the Bar Council forum?'

On Ambiga stands firm amidst ISA calls

Disgusted Malaysian:

I salute and applaud the legal courage, firmness and initiative of our Bar Council president, Ambiga Sreenevasan and her team of leaders in organising the open forum.

It is shocking to right-thinking Malaysians that there are now calls by some extremist groups and individuals for her and other organisers of the forum to be detained under the repressive ISA.

Is this the government's way to stifle dissent and a genuine desire by a concerned party to seek an amicable solution to this ‘conflict of laws' situation?

Actually, the government leaders should be thankful to Ambiga and the Bar Council for organising this controversial forum as the govertnment has abdicated its responsibility to non- Muslim Malaysians and has shown itself either unwilling or incapable of finding a solution to break this legal impasse despite the lapse of time.

And if Ambiga and her team are now in serious trouble and may be charged under the ISA, what about the ambiguous role played by the police officers present that morning, not to mention the highly seditious statements made by some politicians and the rowdy mob who threatened to storm into the building?

If they did not have a police permit, were they not guilty of holding an illegal assembly then? Shouldn't these people be charged for sedition and under other relevant security or criminal laws, for being a nuisance to public peace and order as the forum was being held in a privately-owned building?

On Disruption of 'conversion' forum a black mark

Dr Narimah Awin: What the protestors did at the Bar Council forum caused me in deep shame and unadulterated anger. However, I was not really surprised as I have seen this trend for a while - that in Malaysia, we have a lot of ‘Muslims' (so-called) but we sometimes do not see ‘Islam'.

There are many things that set moderate Muslims apart from puritan (extremist) Muslims, and one of these is the willingness to debate on issues that concern the whole populace.

The way the protestors behaved only strengthened the perception held by non-Muslims - that Muslims are arrogant and violent because they feel inadequate, threatened, marginalised and inferior.

I am proud to be Muslim. I do not feel I am inadequate. I stand tall and I follow the precepts of Islam - a religion that is tolerant and reasonable but has sadly been 'hijacked' by the likes of Zulkifli Nordin and other intellectually bankrupt ‘Muslims'.

As RPK rightly said, ‘I have my God which is not their God.' I salute Dr Syed Husin, deputy president of PKR, for his comments against Zulkifli, and I salute Anwar for making that very wise, very appropriate suggestion to have the forum be a closed-door event.

We have too many irresponsible Muslims who are not capable of facing progress in the world. A closed door event with real, enlightened Muslims is the logical approach.

This painful episode is yet one more compelling reason for why we need Anwar to come to power as soon as possible.

Malaysia cannot afford to not have him as our leader. Once that happens, we will see the light at the end of the dark tunnel we are now in.

Syazana Fatkhi:

I wasn't at the forum myself, but from the detailed accounts of those who went, it was easy to see the forum's intention and content. It was apparent that the forum was to shed some light to both Muslims and non-Muslims, that matters of conversion are not black or white.

There is a huge gray area, and both the families of the converted parties as well as the newly accepting Muslim community are very much involved - filially, emotionally, spiritually, psychologically.

Thus, it is appalling to hear and read about the protest by several Muslim groups carrying unkind placards against the forum organisers.

My fellow friends, please do not think that those involved in the protest represent the rest of us Muslims. It is embarrassing (albeit understood) how much religion is misunderstood.

My heart goes out to the families who have been broiled with a family member's secret conversion, because which family or individual - no matter how 'right' a religious law is - could rationalise letting go of a loved one to a last-minute burial that is completely not in keeping with the rest of the family's beliefs?

I don't claim to know religious laws, nor an expert in the syariah . But I was taught one thing - between being right and being kind, always, always choose kind. And kindness is letting the family let go of their dead-loved one as they deem fit.

I'm sure God, of whatever religion is Superior and Just enough to know the intentions of those involved.

Francis Rozario:

The ugly face of Umno must be revealed to the world. It says it is a government that is tolerant, allows freedom of worship and promotes racial harmony, but all of this is nothing more than mere lies.

Right now, we have top Umno officials asking to detain Ambiga under the ISA. Who is the threat here - the Bar Council and its president or the 300-odd people who were led by organised Muslim NGOs and some politicians?

This is the sense of fairness that these hoodlums and people with twisted senses of justice have - this is Umno in its true colours. We are talking about our rights as Malaysians - is freedom of religion not guaranteed in the constitution?

Aren't we all Malaysians? Why is it this government allowing the majority to threaten and harass the minority?

My Muslim friend told me this is not Islam, this is Umno. What they are doing is driving people away from Islam with these callous actions.

Leaving Islam aside, I think we have to take this to the UN. We have to because this country was formed with guarantees, and these guarantees are being trampled upon.

We have to do this sooner rather than later as the situation has already been appropriated to the level that the leadership has turned fanatical.

Senjakala:

A lot has been said about the forum, and I for one do not want to be a hypocrite. Did these professionals weigh the consequences of holding an open discussion of this nature?

Had they exhausted all avenues in addressing their unfortunate clients' events?

I am of the opinion whatever action we need to take or look at, the well-being and harmony of the country comes first. The issue may have existed for sometime, but the tact in addressing the issue is important.

We profess that every individual has a right to voice their opinion, but there must be a limit.

I am not saying that the issue in question needs no resolution, only that the manner in which we are solving it is important.

Malaysian are noted for their kindness. Don't we have a better way to resolve this issue? We must remember that not all are educated, and furthermore, education does not mean intelligence.

PT Tan:

I fully agreed with Najib when he cautioned that this Bar Council forum would lead to an angry confrontation. Having said that, I see that the people who broke the law are receiving no punishment - the people who congregated illegally in a senseless mob.

Why are these people not pulled up and the hit with the full weight of the law? To stay silent is to encourage more mob behaviour.

Yes, the Bar Council should not play with fire, but the ‘fire' too should be doused.

Sorrowful Citizen:

Being a non-Muslim, I am gratified by the comments some of my Muslim friends expressed in supporting the open discussion to resolve issues originating from conversion.

I am amazed by the clearly educated thinking and opinions expressed giving me the confidence that such Muslim friends coupled with peace-loving citizens are the assets of this nation that could safeguard the nation's continued peace and future prosperity.

It is not about religion but more about the human beings and humanity that actually made this nation a great success with us living together these many years peacefully.

That all this is only to be forgotten and criminally breached by the point of view of only one race or one religion is the greatest sin man has created.

Benameye: That the forum never intended to challenge the special position of Islam in Malaysia is trivially evident and could not have been missed by the 300 Wild Jonathans. So what gives then?

What gives is that these hoodlums want to maintain the current status quo where there have been many unjust cases against non-Muslims who inadvertently get entangled in conversions to Islam by family members. This to them is justice.

That the police covertly supported these hoods is another black eye for them. This time around the score is

Police: 0 Bar Council: 1

On Aborted forum: PKR deputy lambasts own MP

Eileen: I love this man, Dr Syed Husin Ali. Indeed, Malaysia needs more leaders like Syed Husin. He is among the heroes on my list. He is fair-minded, intelligent and most of all, a very humble person.

I truly hope Anwar will win and win big in the Aug 26 by-election, and that people like Syed Husin Ali will rule Malaysia. I just can't wait for the day to come.

JKS: Excellent timing. Thanks, Bar Council. The Permatang Pauh by-election will bring debate to the forefront about where PKR, PAS and Umno stand on issues like freedom of speech and religious tolerance.

PKR is not necessarily right in that the conversion forum should be held behind closed doors, as lawyers at the forum should be able to use measured and careful words in an open door discussion.

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's comments are lame and shameful, and appear to condone violence in the future. BN does not have a natural advantage on this issue.

PKR can't just isolate the ‘fierce' protest leader PKR MP Zulkifli Noordin. Zulkifli is also the one who, very recently, offered to vacate his seat for Anwar Ibrahim to contest in.

However, we should not pigeonhole a politician like Zulkifli too early. Firebrand politicians can mean initiative and determination, and can indicate credibility if and when they turn moderate over time as they take on more responsibilities.

Handled properly, PR and PKR can come out of this strengthened. Whether moderate voters will be disappointed with PKR, and whether PR can consolidate its position further, will depend on a clear stand they take.