KUALA NERUS: A leading senior don called on Malaysians to spend more time on positive activities instead of resorting to actions that will cause disunity.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s ethnic studies institute director, Distinguished Prof Datuk Dr Shamsul Amri Baharuddin, said that people ought to indulge in ‘moments of unity’ events like sports.
“Everyone can remember how united Malaysians are when the county participates in sports like soccer and badminton.
“Every Malaysian, irrespective of race or religion, comes together to root and support our national teams and rejoice when victorious.
“The same happens during a feast (like a durian party) or a festival ‘open house’ when we mingle and rekindle our camaraderie (during Hari Raya, Deepavali or Christmas).
“I guess, we have to believe in the saying that the brain and the gut goes together,” he said in his opening address at the ‘Conference on Strengthening Nationhood’ (COSNA 6) at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (Unisza) in Gong Badak.
Present was Unisza vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Ahmad Zubaidi Abdul Latif.
Shamsul Amri was asked to respond to the intended mass rally against the implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) on Dec 8.
He said although it was the right of anyone, including undergraduates, to take part in the rally, the nation’s security and safety of the people had to be considered.
He added Malaysians had long shared peace and harmony for decades, after witnessing challenging times like during the Japanese Occupation during World War II, the Emergency period of the communist terrorist threat and the ‘May 13’ racial riots in 1969.
“We must learn from our past mistakes and move forward.
“Malaysia is seen as a role model by other nations in maintaining peace, harmony and political stability amidst its multi-racial, ethnic and religious society.
“Therefore, as stakeholders, we must be responsible and not be ignorant of each other’s sensitivies and religious beliefs,” he said, in reference to the recent hindu temple fiasco in USJ Subang Jaya, Selangor.
Shamsul Amri cautioned the public not to be easily infludenced by social media, rather refer to official sources in the dissemination of accurate news.
“Sometimes, the broadcast of news in different languages (english, malay, mandarin or tamil) can be interpreted differently, according to sentiments,” he said.
He also supported the move to ensure that all places of worship had their properties and land lawfully registered with the relevant authorities, to avoid untoward incidents.