I refer to Christmas Freak's description of the events at the national-level Christmas Day Open House in Petaling Jaya on Dec 25.

The fact that Christian Christmas carols were sung there is concrete evidence that the whole matter was not 'much ado about nothing'. On the contrary, it was due to much ado about something, that being healthy public concern and the debate over the 'ban' on carols with the word 'Jesus' during the Dec 25 celebrations.

In consequence thereof, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Dr Rais Yatim had to come out with a denial of such a 'ban'. That made the difference between the 2004 celebration and the 2003 celebration in Sabah.

Credit must go to malaysiakini which had the courage to bring to public attention the 'ban' as perceived and agreed to by Church leaders involved in the planning of the celebration.

There is one valuable lesson from this episode - concerned citizens should not take things lying down and give the authorities a carte blanche to do things as they like.

It is imperative that citizens break out from the Malaysian culture of fear and speak out lawfully and publicly whenever a wrong has been done. Only then will an 'all's well that ends well' spirit prevail in the country.