BY: ERIC HO

The National Unity Ministry of Malaysia is keenly working quietly in the background, but it is time for it to surface to the forefront of the nation, as it plays a very important role in ensuring peace and harmony prevails in the country.

While every ministry, or department or agency of the government is equally important, there are observers who feel that the national unity ministry must be more proactive and have a higher profile of their activities.

It is not enough for the ministry to only open up and intervene when racial and religious tensions flare up, they must go to the ground to iron out any friction or differences in opinion that may stir trouble and unrest in the country.

This is why they must always be on alert to nip problems in the bud before they fester and get out of control, and in this aspect, it is better to take preventive measures to ensure that any signs of disunity do not get out of control.

The ministry must engage in mounting educational awareness programmes to offset the malaise of racism, hate speech, religious bigotry and other factors that can stoke trouble among Malaysia’s multi-racial and multi-religious population.

The ministry must dispel the fear of the unknown, distrust and suspicion of Malaysia’s races and religions and strive to ensure that this diversity should actually be welcomed and celebrated in good faith by exercising mutual trust and understanding.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE

** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher