It appears that Article 11, a coalition of 13 civil society groups, and Aliran, the co-organisers of a recent public forum in Penang should be indebted to the mob that disrupted the event.

In what could be considered one of the greatest ironies that Bolehland has seen to date, the mob proved to the public, especially concerned Muslims and non-Muslims, that what they had feared most, and which therefore prompted them to organise such a forum, was very real and well-founded.

The unruly mob showed that in spite of the Federal Constitution - whether it be in terms of the freedom of religion or expression - there is indeed little protection for all, especially the minorities.