KUALA LUMPUR: Zero tolerance for intolerance is a crucial principle that must be firmly embraced in Malaysia, a country rich with cultural and religious diversity, says National Unity Advisory Council member Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
In light of a recent slapping incident at a local convenience store, Lee called on every Malaysian to return to the core values of Rukun Negara to strengthen unity and understanding.
Lee added that there should be no place for intolerance in Malaysia, and everyone must learn to tolerate one another even when their opinions and actions differ.
"The Rukun Negara, which was declared more than 50 years ago, continues to guide the nation's unity based on its five key principles: belief in God, loyalty to King and country, the supremacy of the Constitution, rule of law, and mutual respect.
"It is timely for all of us to make a firm commitment to practise its principles to ensure each one of us will be entitled to our rights and promote multiracial harmony," he said in a statement Monday (March 18).
Furthermore, Lee emphasised that fostering zero tolerance for intolerance requires actively promoting interfaith dialogue and understanding.
He also proposed organising events where people from various religious and cultural backgrounds could come together to break fast and engage in meaningful dialogue that would contribute to mutual understanding and help reduce instances of intolerance.
"Education is the key. It helps individuals understand the impact of words on actions and promotes empathy and respect for different perspectives. We should start with the young in schools. "It is a given that our education system, with all its good intentions, is helping to build a society that is segregated. Segregation leads to misunderstanding, and next, it could lead to abuse and offensive behaviour," he said.
Lee also called on the Communications Ministry to take swift action to address the surge of hate messages and videos circulating on social media following the viral incident.
He reminded everyone that if someone's behaviour is deemed rude or in violation of the law, there are proper legal channels to address such issues rather than taking matters into one's own hands. - Bernama
