THE Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, has called on Malaysians to emulate the compassion and unity displayed by leaders of the Al-Falah Mosque in Subang Jaya and the Sri Maha Kaliamman Temple in Jalan Putra Harmoni, who came to the aid of victims of the recent gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights, irrespective of race or religion.
His Royal Highness praised the inclusive and selfless actions of both religious institutions, which opened their doors to those affected and provided shelter and support without discrimination. In a striking example of interfaith cooperation, Muslims were even allowed to perform prayers within the temple compound.
“These noble actions offer reassurance and hope at a time when the nation is gripped by growing concerns over racial and religious divisions,” he said. “The leaders of these two houses of worship opened their doors to victims and workers, offering them refuge regardless of their racial or religious background, and even allowed Muslims to perform prayers in the temple premises.”
The Sultan delivered the remarks during his royal address at the opening of the Third Session of the 15th Perak State Legislative Assembly, held at the Perak Darul Ridzuan Building today.
He noted that such gestures demonstrate the true spirit of harmony and coexistence that lives on among ordinary Malaysians — a stark contrast to the increasingly divisive political rhetoric that has gained ground in recent years.
Turning his attention to the controversy over the relocation of the Dewi Sri Pathrakaliaman Temple in Kuala Lumpur to make way for a mosque, Sultan Nazrin lamented that the issue had been excessively politicised and had triggered unease among the public.
“Religious and racial matters are increasingly sensationalised and manipulated by those seeking to be seen as champions of their faith or ethnicity, despite the risk of provoking anger and animosity among citizens.
“It is disheartening that the politics of hatred is being embraced. There is a growing fear that this path will lead the nation towards a future where citizens are no longer united, but instead driven apart by mutual resentment and hostility,” he warned.
In a separate part of his speech, Sultan Nazrin addressed the recent discovery of an illegal electronic waste (e-waste) processing facility in Sungai Siput, where authorities seized around RM1.3 billion worth of e-waste and machinery.
The Sultan condemned the operation, highlighting the serious environmental damage caused by such illicit activity and calling for more rigorous and coordinated enforcement by relevant authorities.
“Establishing an e-waste processing facility without proper authorisation is a criminal offence. Those involved are motivated by selfish gains, choosing profit over the serious harm inflicted on the environment.
“This incident raises a critical question – how could a large factory operate illegally in an open area without being detected by the relevant authorities?” he said.
Despite these concerns, Sultan Nazrin also shared positive developments from the state, notably the successful eradication of hardcore poverty involving 8,986 household heads (KIR) in Perak over the past year.
He attributed this achievement to various welfare and community empowerment initiatives, including job placement services, business support, training programmes, and entrepreneurship schemes.
“One of the key initiatives that has yielded significant results is the State Social Welfare One Stop Centre Programme, which has been successfully implemented in all districts.
“This programme has brought together under one roof, more than 30 aid agencies, facilitating access to services and assistance needed by the poor,” he said.
The Sultan’s address, while acknowledging current challenges, underscored the potential for national unity and progress through compassion, accountability, and inclusive governance. – April 15, 2025
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