'Don't add fuel to fire' - another royal caution against racial issues

 

Raja of Perlis Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail has cautioned against stoking racial tension, which could threaten the nation.

He said all quarters “must not add fuel to the fire” or make the situation worse when such issues arise.

“All parties regardless of background and status should always strive to understand and respect each other to ensure a high spirit of unity and enhance the level of tolerance," he was quoted as saying by Bernama.

The Perlis ruler (above) said this when National Unity Minister Aaron Ago Dagang paid a courtesy call on him at Istana Arau yesterday.

Also present was Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail.

National Unity Ministry secretary-general Indera Noridah Abdul Rahim and Department of Museums Malaysia director-general Kamarul Bahrin A Kassim were also present.

Last month, Perak ruler Sultan Nazrin Shah said he would not tolerate attempts to incite racial and religious hatred, which could provoke hostilities in his state.

Perak ruler Sultan Nazrin Shah

He noted that the silver state’s 2.5 million population comprised 61.5 percent Malays and bumiputera, 26.7 percent Chinese and 11.3 percent Indians who observe various religious beliefs, inherit diverse cultures and are proficient in multiple languages.

“Firm and immediate action must be taken to stop activities of any party, whether through speech or actions that poison minds and fan negative emotions of people by exploiting differences in ethnicity and religion,” Sultan Nazrin said.

His comments came in the wake of the 15th general election, which had witnessed a contest divided along racial and religious faultlines.

Even after Pakatan Harapan leader Anwar Ibrahim was sworn in as prime minister on Nov 24 following a political deadlock, the coalition's rivals continued to harp on these issues.

Hate speech on social media

The proliferation of hate speech on social media has also been a major cause for concern.

On Nov 30, the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, urged politicians to stop using racial or religious issues to incite Malaysians against one another.

“I hope that leaders would no longer raise racial or religious issues for the purpose of inciting the community.

“I urge the new government to use this opportunity to lead the nation to a higher level,” Tuanku Muhriz said in a speech after chairing the 260th meeting of the Conference of Rulers at Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur. - Mkini