The Article 11 coalition, which will hold its next public forum in Johor Baru on Saturday, has stressed that this should not be deemed 'sensitive' or insulting to any religion including Islam.

"We see this as any other forum (for discussion of the constitution). In fact, we're giving life to the constitution by having discussions like this. It is just like having a seminar on domestic violence, for instance," said Women's Aid Organisation (WAO) executive director Ivy Josiah.

"We're saddened that the Johor Umno Youth and Johor PAS are asking us to stop talking. This kind of intimidation is unnecessary as we believe in open debate."

She was speaking at a press conference in Petaling Jaya, attended by several member-groups of the coalition.

It was called in relation to a report in The Sun today which quoted the two political parties as asking the police and Johor Islamic Religious Department to stop the forum.

"There is no need for any form of alarm. We strongly urge PAS and Umno Youth not to alarm the public about our legal forum," said Josiah.

"We're not fly-by-night organisations. It is painful to listen to lies about us. Let us not quell debate. We're positive the police will uphold our rights."

National Human Rights Society president Ramdas Tikamdas echoed her views, pointing out that this was similar to discussion of the Rukunegara.

"After all, Article 11 (on freedom of religion) is an important clause in the constitution. Open discussions on contents in the constitution are part of the democratic process," he said.

Toni Kassim, principal trainer of Sisters in Islam, said it was "mischievous and dishonest" of the two groups to spread lies. She encouraged those wary about the discussion to attend the forum.

"It is their constitutional right to attend such forums. It will show that they are open to rational discussion about Article 11. It is very divisive of Umno and PAS to try and stop the forum."

Lawyer Honey Tan, executive director of women's rights group Awam, said representatives of 45 groups had registered for the forum to date.

'Lawful assembly'

The coalition, which distributed a statement, made it clear that a police permit is not required for such events as it will be held behind closed doors, but that participants must register to attend the event.

Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism member Lennard Yeo explained that Article 10(b) of the Penal Code explained that every citizen has a right to assemble publicly and that the government can restrict a forum only when it poses a threat to security of the nation.

"In this case, we are holding a lawful assembly within the confines of a room," he said.

The coalition has written to the Johor Baru OCPD and the Inspector-General of Police to enlist police assistance in ensuring that the event remains incident-free, unlike an earlier event held in Penang in May that had been disrupted by a protest.

WAO president Meera Samanther, who will address the forum, said it was the duty of the police to provide assistance and that coalition members were confident this would be done.

Also present at the press conference were representatives of human rights group Suaram and the Malaysian Civil Liberties Society pro-tem committee.

Article 11 has held three public forums to date, in Selangor, Penang and Malacca, under a roadshow to discuss constitutional rights on religion in light of recent conflicts with administration of Islamic law.