KUALA LUMPUR: The National Unity Ministry has adopted the theme, Harmony in Diversity, and the Negara Bangsa (Nation-State) concept as its key focus this year to foster unity among Malaysia’s diverse communities.
Deputy Minister K. Saraswathy (pic) said the Nation-State concept aims to cultivate a united society, which embraces diversity while fostering a shared Malaysian identity.
“Nation-state does not mean rejecting cultural, religious, or customary diversity. Rather, it is about uniting these differences under a shared national identity,” she said during the winding-up debate on the motion of thanks on the royal address in the Dewan Negara yesterday.
Saraswathy said to further strengthen racial unity, the ministry is considering organising a national-level progressive nation-state conference this year, Bernama reported.
She added that this year marks a transformative phase for the ministry, focusing on four key efforts for the unity agenda: the Unity Ecosystem, the Madani Harmony Initiative, the Exploration of the Rukun Negara, and the Socio-Cultural Community.
She said these four efforts serve as the foundation for the ministry’s direction, in its commitment to preserve unity within the community.
“The programmes formulated and set to be implemented under these efforts will serve as a platform for the National Unity Ministry to further enhance and strengthen unity among Malaysia’s multiracial and multireligious communities.
“The ministry has also launched the Madani Harmony Initiative, which introduces the basic concept of national integration, namely the fundamentals of national integration: understanding, respect, acceptance,” she said.
She said last year, the ministry, through its agencies, implemented 730 programmes focusing on unity, identity, nationhood, volunteerism, community development, and cultural heritage.
“The ministry remains committed to strengthening unity as the foundation of the country’s stability and progress,” she added.
Saraswathy said there are two approaches – reformative and punitive – in addressing issues that threaten racial harmony.
The ministry, she said, prioritised the reformative approach by taking immediate action such as reprimanding the perpetrator, requesting an apology, and providing education through community mediator services.
“If this approach fails, strict legal action can be taken.
“Anyone who deliberately commits acts, incites, or makes statements that endanger racial and religious unity can be investigated and prosecuted under existing laws,” she added.
