PUTRAJAYA, Jan 19 — Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Joseph Kurup urged for all debates on sensitive issues that touch on racial and religious sentiments to be stopped for the sake of national harmony.
“The less we talk about sensitive issues, the better,” he said at a press conference after officiating a conference on nationhood today.
He said discussions on the positive issues or detailed explanations on specific issues were more beneficial to the people.
Earlier, in his speech, Kurup said several current issues had created ethnic and religious tension, leading to restlessness among the people.
“The issue on the usage of the word “Allah” by Christians also tested the ethnic bonds. I believe the clear message to the people is that they should correct their perception of the government’s efforts to maintain harmony,” he said.
The Appeals Court had ruled against allowing the use of the word “Allah” in the Herald magazine. The publisher had since taken the matter for appeal to the Federal Court which would meet to make a decision on Feb 24.
Kurup said all parties should respect the decision of the court and not do anything to cause provocation.
In a separate development, he said the Ethnic Relations Module which was introduced in institutes of higher learning should be started at the school level.
On the conference, Kurup said resolutions made would provide ideas to the government to prepare a national blueprint on unity.
The annual conference was organised by the Ethnic Relations Research Institute of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, together with the Ministry of Education, Universiti Putra Malaysia and Universiti Malaya. — Bernama
