DPM: No place for religious hatred here

Together: Dr Wan Azizah greets Datin Paduka Mother Mangalam Iyaswary Iyer at The Christmas Day Hi-Tea Reception.

PETALING JAYA: There is no place for religious hatred in the country and Malaysians must look after this land to the best of their ability, says Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

The Deputy Prime Minister said the government would not hesitate to take action against those who threatened the country’s peace.

“Fake news, inflammatory messages and messages that stoke religious hatred have no place in Malaysia Baru (New Malaysia),” she said when addressing a Christmas hi-tea reception at the Luther Centre here on Christmas Day.

Malaysians, she said, had put their faith in the new government to usher the country into a new era of greater justice and economic prosperity.

She noted that all Malaysians held values that strengthened understanding, respect and harmony.

“The unity, camaraderie and friendship among the people of different faiths and ethnicities is one of the strengths of Malaysia,” she said.

Dr Wan Azizah pointed out that the most beautiful thing about religious celebrations in Malaysia was that people would open their homes to friends and neighbours, strengthening friendships and leaving lasting impressions.

“Freedom of religion in this country has its best expression in people coming together to share in the religious celebrations of each other,” she said, adding that every religion in the country treasured the noble values of love, peace and goodwill among the people.

The government, she said, was committed to continuing to enlarge the space of mutual respect, sharing and harmony.

“Let’s continue to show the world that unity in diversity is one of Malaysia’s trademarks,” Dr Wan Azizah said as she conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali and the rest of the Cabinet to church leaders and Christians in the country.

The event was spearheaded by the Christian Federation of Malay­sia, Council of Churches of Malaysia and other parties. — Bernama