...but only when PKR supporters chose to demonstrate while the forum was being conducted, causing it to end and also when people chose to take things personally.'

On Aborted forum: I did right, says PKR MP

Jac:

All this while I thought independence was when you were able to make a stand for yourself and take control of things.

But after reading so much speculation about the Bar Council forum and how people choose to react, it made me realise how much we have fallen short of being even near to independence.

If the forum organised by the Bar Council is banned, who else would be better at organising it?

The church? The mosque? The temple? My question to everyone is, whose interests are we looking into? The government mentioned that the forum had disrupted the peace of the people.

I believe the forum did disrupt the peace - but only when PKR supporters chose to demonstrate while the forum was being conducted, causing it to end and when people chose to take things personally.

The forum was formed in the first place to discuss and look into the interests of those who chose to be independent, to take control of their lives and do what they thought best.

When we are in the month of celebrating our independence, look into what our actions portray about us.

If we don't, we cannot, by definition, call ourselves the people of an independent country.

Shailaja Shailu:

Malaysia is an independent and democratic nation.

Malaysians have the freedom of speech, freedom to assemble and every other freedom allowed by human rights and the law. But how far are these rights allowed to be practised in Malaysia?

If we believe in exercising freedom of speech as a part of democracy in our country, then there's nothing too sensitive that we can't talk about.

We want to be a so called developed country by 2020 - why can't we agree to disagree and discuss issues civilly and objectively, without using threat, violence and force?

If we don't talk about these problems, they will never be solved.

The council's forum held in the Bar Council auditorium had a registration process - they even know who attended the forum.

It is so regulated - I don't understand when most of the protestors and politicians say that it was done ‘openly'.

If it is not the Bar Council that can stand up for the rights of society in general, then who else is going to bring up these issues? After all, this land belongs to all of us, not only to a single race.

Bluebluequeen:

We Malaysians know - or rather, are told - that we are living in a democratic, multiracial, multi-religious and multi-cultural country. That means we have the freedom of speech, freedom to think and even freedom to have faith in our own religion.

Speaking of freedom and human rights, should we Malaysians be clear about and know what was discussed in the Bar Council forum and any other discussions relevant to us?

Therefore, the Bar Council's ‘Conversion to Islam' open forum should have been allowed.

After all, it was already mentioned that the council's forum was not intended to question Islam as the official religion of the country, nor its position, but the issue was matrimonial matters involving a Muslim and a non-Muslim.

So why must it be a closed door forum? It is certainly not fair to us if we are seeking answers.

GL Adria:

I feel that every meeting that discusses sensitive issues, including those of faith and religion, should be done behind closed doors, and that the findings of those meetings should be released to the public only as the public needs to know and understand the decisions made.

Yes, religion is a sensitive subject, but in a multiracial and multi-religious country, we have to be able to discuss the country, which includes religion and such matters.

I believe that everyone deserves to be informed so that they may understand more about the country and the people living in it.

Jessica: The recent events which saw the whole Bar Council forum turn into an unnecessary fiasco brought extreme sadness and disappointment to me.

I could not help but wonder - here we are, right about to celebrate 51 years of our independence, and yet we still find it hard to deal with inter-faith dialogue openly and respectfully.

The forum was conducted not to incite any hatred or criticise the religion in question, but rather to allow the general public to know their rights in matters relating to religious conversion issues when a marriage between a Muslim and a non-Muslim takes place, along with their custody and burial rights.

The most recent election results would have been enough proof for anyone to see that we Malaysians have had enough of these people who claim to be ‘defenders of the faith' and those who rule the country ‘fairly'.

Where is the fairness if one is not allowed to have open discussions on religious matters and is instead met with degrading insults that even the unholiest of men will not utter?

And where are the unity, tolerance and harmony Malaysia so resolutely postulates? This problem will never be solved as long as our leaders keep ‘pushing the dirt under the carpet'.

A true and successful nation is one that allows all forms of religious issues to be discussed openly and fairly in every sense of the word.

Until this is achieved, Malaysia will, sadly, remain backward and see no progress no matter how many Merdeka we are to celebrate in the near future.

On Guan Eng: PKR's Zulkifli no different than Umno

LSH: Your report stated that Zulkifli ‘said he protested the Bar Council forum as a member of Lawyers in Defence of Islam (Pembela) and not as a PKR MP.

‘Therefore, the show cause letter PKR had said wanted to serve on him was not an issue...'

This is the kind of two-faced politics that sadly prevail among too many of our nation's politicians, and is totally unacceptable to all right-thinking Malaysians.

Zulkifli cannot speak or act in one way as a PKR MP and then speak or act in another way as a member of Pembela.

He is both at the same time, no matter the situation. His words and his actions must be consistent and they must represent his values, both as a PKR MP and as a member of Pembela.

Malaysians like myself demand that our leaders, representatives and politicians (from both Pakatan and BN) be consistent and be men (and women) of integrity.

On PM: Don't politicise DNA bill

Andrew Soh:

If the conviction against Anwar's first sodomy case was overturned, then it only shows that he is not guilty.

Why try the same approach and make a mockery of the whole issue?

The ruling party should give Anwar a chance, but if he fails and the ruling party can improve, then who knows?

Barisan may be back again. Whatever it is, we need a change for the better, not for the worse.

On Un-Islamic to swear on Quran, says Gus Dur

Orang Islam Asli: Anwar Ibrahim, do not swear by Allah or Al Quran. It is a shameful act to do.

You have pleaded not guilty - that is enough. Be calm and relax.

There is only one day left for you to be either kicked up or down. Let Allah (SWT) decide.

On Arif drops out of 'bogus' PhD study

Rupert:

It is a common misconception that a diploma holder cannot do a PhD.

While a masters degree (increasingly, a bachelor's degree) is the most common and easiest route, universities, including top ones, are known to give exceptions to candidates with the necessary experience.

I am a PhD holder and I would like to advice others that doing a PhD means acquiring highly- specialised skills in a extremely narrow part of the field. How specialised?

At the end of the journey, when they are ready for viva, most candidates will agree that they are the only expert in the world for that particular area.

We can also agree that anyone applying for a PhD should note that it is the reputation/expertise of the ‘department' in your field of interest that is important, not the university itself.

However, I will advice caution when somebody is offered alternative routes to a PhD or any degrees at all.

There are a lot of dubious institutions in this world willing to relieve you of your money with worthless promises.

On Malaysiakini, what is your aim?

Kenny Gan: There is little reason for Malaysiakini to publish such a trashy letter. Malaysiakini has always presented a balanced viewpoint of both government and opposition.

If the news and views are slanted towards a negative view of the government, it is because the said party has given Malaysiakini and the public plenty of ammunition to shoot at it.

The writer takes issue that Malaysiakini is not shamelessly pro-government like the mainstream media.

He berates Malaysiakini for not following his own pro government stance and fears a Malaysia governed by any party other than BN.

This appears to be the ranting of a troubled person stuck in a time warp who has been unable to escape his mental prison of fear since 1969. In a way, we should be sorry for him.

Please take a look around you and update yourself. Malaysian society has matured enough, the races have moved forward.

The result of the 2008 elections has put to rest the ghost of 1969, but you are still terrified by a non-existent bogeyman long used by BN politicians to get votes.