I refer to the Malaysiakini report Protesters stop Bar's 'conversion' forum. (http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/87519)

I am at a loss to understand why demonstrators who wish to hand over memorandums have court orders obtained to restrain them, while demonstators who shout threatening slogans warning parties not to ‘play with fire’ and who use racial slurs are allowed by the enforcement officers into private buildings to disrupt meetings and hurl abuse at participants.

I also cannot comprehend how government officials can in the first instance label the demonstrators seditious and threaten arrest, but in the latter instance threaten the meeting holders (and not the demonstrators) with sedition and arrest.

But what astounds me the most, is the deafening silence in light of the violence. Where are the ministers of this country who are supposed to protect the cause of justice? What is their view on this?

Where are the multitude of politicians from both sides of the divide who wooed us during and after March 8 with talks of multi-racialism and democracy?

I will name some of those I talk about:

(i) the de facto Law Minister, a lawyer himself;

(ii) the de facto leader of the opposition, with his talk of justice and ‘Ketuanan Rakyat’;

(iii) the leaders of various political parties who, despite their historic and ideological racial leanings, promised to speak for all races; and

(iv) the many quasi-government and non-governmental organisations whose professed purpose is the protection of human rights.

A molotov cocktail is thrown into a private home because of a forum to hear the stories of parents who have lost children, hearth and home due to a conversion of religiion, and you have nothing to say?

And you tell the world you are fit to lead this country?

Your silence condones the violence. And this was violence against an organisation that has stood for the principles of justice and fairness throughout its lifetime, where its voice has aided each of you many a time.

It has been accused on numerous times of being both pro-establishment and anti-establishment, depending on the issue of the day and who was unhappy with the organisation’s public views.

There is a simple reason for this dichotomy. The organisation stands for the principles of justice, democracy and the rule of law which are meant to be the pillars of our society.

And standing up for those principles is not always nice, not always popular and not always easy. But this organisation has been doing so.

It will continue to do so while politicians come and go, and swing from one political ideology to another (according to the politics of the day and the section of the electorate that needs to be wooed).

I will say it again, your silence condones the violence. I would despair for the future of this country if your race was your handicap against speaking for fairness and justice.

Bess Toffer