PUTRA HEIGHTS : MAKE AL-FALAH MOSQUE, SRI MAHA KALIAMMAN TEMPLE AN EXAMPLE - SULTAN NAZRIN

IPOH,  April 15 (Bernama) --  The Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin today said that the actions of the leaders of two religious institutions, namely the Al-Falah Mosque Subang Jaya and the Sri Maha Kaliamman Temple on Jalan Putra Harmoni, in helping the victims of the gas pipeline fire in Putera Heights regardless of their racial or religious identity, should be emulated.

His Royal Highness said their noble actions offer reassurance and hope in the face of growing concerns over racial and religious divisions in the country.

Their gesture, he noted, reflects the true spirit of harmony and coexistence that exists among ordinary Malaysians -- free from the influence of divisive political rhetoric.

bootstrap slideshow

“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," he said.

Sultan Nazrin said this in his royal address when opening the Third Session of the 15th Perak State Legislative Assembly at Perak Darul Ridzuan Building here today.

The Sultan also touched on the controversy surrounding the relocation of the Dewi Sri Pathrakaliaman Temple in Kuala Lumpur to make way for the construction of a mosque — an issue that sparked intense debate and was politicised to the extent that it unsettled 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 said.

Meanwhile, regarding the discovery of an illegal electronic waste (e-waste) processing factory in Sungai Siput and the seizure of about RM1.3bil in e-waste and machinery, Sultan Nazrin said it should serve as a wake-up call for all relevant authorities to intensify monitoring and enforcement efforts in a more integrated, swift, and decisive manner.

“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.

Meanwhile, Sultan Nazrin highlighted that the dedicated efforts and unwavering commitment of various stakeholders have helped to eradicate hardcore poverty involving 8,986 household heads (KIR) in the state over the past year.

His Highness attributed this achievement to the effective implementation of a range of welfare programmes focused on community empowerment, including job-matching initiatives, business equipment assistance, skills training, and entrepreneurship development.

“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,” said the Sultan.

-- BERNAMA