PETALING JAYA – Malaysia’s heterogeneity has been its cornerstone since its inception.
The nation’s diversity comes to life most often during the numerous festivities and celebrations, becoming the glue that binds all Malaysians year after year.
Unfortunately, the spiteful acts of a few seem eager to mar such feelings of togetherness; this time, the education minister has found herself a target of such actions.
A 2022 image of Fadhlina Sidek participating in a non-Muslim ceremony to honour the deceased resurfaced recently, with a caption that read, “Hoi Fadhlina, what are you holding there?”
The image was taken during a ceremony meant to honour those who had perished in the Batang Kali landslide disaster in December.
A total of 31 people were killed in the tragedy that took place at the Father’s Organic Farm campsite in Gohtong Jaya 2.42am on December 16.
hormat menghormati budaya agama lain, menjaga hubungan perpaduan pic.twitter.com/Njy5bFpuvs
— zainurisalman (@zainuri_salman) November 7, 2023
Many netizens came to Fadhlina’s defence in response to the hostile X post, saying that there was nothing wrong with the minister paying respects to the departed.
Some praised Fadhlina for the respect she had shown towards customs outside of her own.
“This is what we need in a multiracial society,” read one response.
One netizen posted a picture of former PAS spiritual leader, the late Tan Sri Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, holding hands with a monk, with a caption that read, “Respecting each other’s religious cultures helps safeguard our national unity”. – The Vibes, November 7, 2023
