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

It is shocking and regretful to note that the Bar Council forum on ‘conversion to Islam’ was sabotaged by a fanatical mob. People have fought battles for centuries over race, religion and land.

Even in these modern days, such battles are raging in many parts of our beautiful planet. We ought to learn from what we witness.

Malaysia is a multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural nation. We often feel that we enjoy unity, harmony and peace in diversity.

Islam is the official religion of Malaysia and Malay rights are concretely enshrined in the federal constitution and in all the state constitutions and this is accepted by all and sundry.

By the same token, minority rights are also enshrined in these documents and no one has the right to deny or deprive anyone of these rights. The minority populations makes up about 45% of the total Malaysian population and they are not really minority per se.

The rakyat need such a forum of such a nature to debate, discuss and reach some common understanding on conversion to Islam so as to avoid unnecessary conflicts between people of different faiths that make up beautiful Malaysia.

Without open and frank discussion, how on earth could we reach an understanding on such issues be they contentious or otherwise? It is common sense to say that only through positive, open and frank interaction between the rakyat can we explain each other’s views and reach a suitable understanding.

By holding mob demonstrations outside the Bar Council’s office to intercept the forum only demonstrates how intolerable and uncivilised certain segments of our society have become.

I am certain that the Bar Council is not silly to question Islamic and Malay rights, because as custodians of law they would not even ponder to do so.

If the Bar Council or any other organisation cannot hold such dialogs, then it is only appropriate that the government set the stage for such interactions so as to avoid any untoward socio-cultural conflict between the people.

Unfortunately, some politicians are playing to the gallery for their own selfish ends. If at all we are serious about integrating the rakyat, we should send all elected representatives and politicians back to school to learn about racial and religious harmony.

It is pointless to ask schoolchildren and university students to integrate whilst politicians engineer divisions and promote the polarisation of our society.

We would be doing a great service to our beautiful nation if politicians are taught values of racial and religious tolerance for a better, peaceful and harmonious Malaysia.