The declaration by Pope Francis and Indonesia’s Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta warning against using religion to stoke conflict is most relevant to Malaysia because the unity between faiths is the cornerstone of Malaysian national unity, as recognised by the first principle of Rukun Negara, “Belief in God”.
As the Istiqlal Mosque Declaration stated, unity between faiths is for “religious harmony for the sake of humanity”.
The Declaration said:
“The global phenomenon of dehumanisation is marked especially by widespread violence and conflict. It is particularly worrying that religion is often instrumentalised in this regard.
“The role of religion should include promoting and safeguarding the dignity of every human life.”
I met a couple today and I was asked about Singapore founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew being born in Batu Pahat, Johore as he believed Lee Kuan Yew was born in Batu Pahat.
I was born and educated in Batu Pahat, but I have no knowledge that Batu Pahat was the birthplace of Kuan Yew, as my family never knew Kuan Yew’s family.
I subsequently checked and found that Lee Kuan Yew was born in Singapore and had nothing to do with Batu Pahat.
These are the lies, misinformation and disinformation spread through the social media that threaten Malaysian national unity and we must save Malaysia from such lies and misinformation if Malaysia is to rise again as a great world-class nation.