Gas pipeline tragedy shows Malaysians look past race, religion

 

The Sri Maha Kaliamman temple hosted 200 evacuees and was the emergency treatment centre for victims of the gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights yesterday.

PETALING JAYA: 

The chairman of an interfaith group said today the decision by a Hindu temple and mosque to open their doors to gas pipeline fire victims proves that Malaysians need one another in times of crisis.

Amir Farid Isahak said during such adversities, Malaysians, regardless of background, “realise that we are all one human family and need each other”.

Yesterday’s tragedy also proved that people of different religions can live together with respect and love.

“This is what we need more of in our country … if only we can remember this during normal times,” Amir, who chairs the Interfaith Spiritual Fellowship, told FMT.

He hopes that the Muslim community would remember what the Hindu temple committee members did and that the goodwill shown would strengthen interfaith bonds in the future.

“Instead of wasting our energy quarrelling and fighting over issues, we should build strong, loving muhibah communities and work towards a truly united nation.”

The Sri Maha Kaliamman temple, which hosted 200 evacuees, and the Putra Heights mosque, which allowed in 323 victims, turned into temporary shelters for victims of the massive gas pipeline explosion which rocked Putra Heights yesterday morning.

Separately, former deputy unity minister Ti Lian Ker said Tuesday’s gas pipeline fire had highlighted, once again, the fact that Malaysians would always look past race and religion in trying times.

Ti observed a similar “coming together” when floods struck Selangor in 2021 and during the white flag campaign, a community-driven movement in 2021 started on social media by Malaysians for those in need of food and other essentials during the pandemic.

“It’s a welcome respite, especially after raised temperatures stemming from the planned relocation of a Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur,” he told FMT, referring to the Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman temple.

Ti said religious and political leaders, as well as the national unity ministry, should highlight these stories.

He said more often than not, religious or political leaders would jump on racial or religious issues and champion the cause of their own communities, inadvertently aggravating the situation.

“Yet, these heartwarming stories are largely ignored when they should be promoted. It’s a shame.” - FMT