JOHOR BAHRU: The process of inculcating harmony and a sense of respect between races and different religions in the country is an uphill task for as long as the matter is polemicised.
Johor Bahru member of Parliament Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said debates and comments that rile up racial sentiments on social media show the current state of our society today.
He said there should be a sense of honesty in society as well as the ability to understand and respect other races in efforts to achieve harmony in Malaysia.
"I am aware of the comments and debates on social media," he said with reference to an iftar event at a Gurdwara Sahib, here, today.
"Anyone who wishes to instill a sense of respect (between races), the challenge is huge, and as a member of Parliament, I honour the invitation while upholding any concerns pertaining to religion and akidah," he explained.
Akmal Nasrullah said this when met on the sidelines of an iftar event he was invited to attend today at the dining hall of the Gurdwara Sahib, here.
Explaining further, Akmal Nasrulalh said this was his second time attending an iftar event here.
"Last year, the Sikh community invited me to attend the programme, and to avoid any misunderstandings, they fulfilled several requests.
"Today, the number of attendees is also high, not the same faces as last year, but they are here because they want to know. Insya-Allah (God willing) if we are confident, we believe in what we believe, the culture of respect can be instilled," he said.