The Raja Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin, called on Malaysia's multiracial society to be wise in handling sensitive issues, especially Islamic religious issues.
    
He said if the people acted impulsively and on emotions, it could disrupt racial harmony which was vital for realising the 1Malaysia concept, "which is a beautiful concept".

He hoped the harmonious co-existence of the country's multiracial society would not be shattered by arising religious issues.

Of late, the decision of the Kuala Lumpur High Court in allowing the use of the word "Allah" in the Catholic weekly, Herald, has caused unease among Muslims in the country.

"Property lost can be replaced but strained ethnic relations is difficult to mend," he said in reminding the people on the need to preserve racial unity and harmony in the country.
        
"The beauty of this country does not only lie in its natural landscape, but  also in the long-standing harmonious relations among its different races practising different religions," added Tuanku Syed Faizuddin, who is also the head of the Perlis Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council.

He also advised parents with children studying in local and overseas universities to ensure that they were not involved in activities that could destroy their future, and to respect the law and not create trouble including  participating in protest demonstrations.

Racial unity programmes

In a related development, Wanita Barisan Nasional (BN) will carry out more programmes to foster racial unity and understanding in the country.

Its chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said a Wanita BN meeting on the matter would be held after her return from visits to Saudi Arabia and India, with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak this month.

"We will execute racial unity programmes besides outreach programmes with related organisations.

"There is no room for those who are extremists in politics, religion and way of living in Malaysia," Shahrizat said at a news conference.

On the arson attacks on churches, Shahrizat, who is also women, family and community development minister, said everyone should tolerate and understand the sensitivities of other races to preserve harmony in Malaysia.

She said that without such sensitivities, the country would be torn apart.

- Bernama