Kuala lumpur: National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang today called for stronger moral and social foundations of peace to ensure differences do not become divisions and diversity continues to serve as a foundation of unity. He said the country must strengthen the moral and social infrastructure of peace by promoting wisdom, understanding and the ability to engage diversity with maturity and restraint.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Aaron emphasized that religion continues to play an important role as a source of compassion, peace, and moral guidance. He highlighted that faith communities and religious leaders are pivotal in promoting reconciliation, social cohesion, and humanitarian action. Aaron stressed that interfaith engagement is essential in a world where polarization, misinformation, and echo chambers are reshaping perceptions.
He elaborated that social peace is not merely the absence of violence or open conflict but a condition where trust exists between individuals and communities, differences are managed fairly, and people share a sense of security, dignity, and belonging. The minister asserted that strength lies not in uniformity but in managing differences fairly, justly, and constructively while upholding mutual respect and shared human dignity.
Aaron noted that Malaysia, with a population of over 34 million, remains one of Asia's most religiously diverse countries. The population comprises 63.5 percent Muslims, 18.7 percent Buddhists, 9.1 percent Christians, 6.1 percent Hindus, with the remainder including Sikhs, Taoists, Bahais, and adherents of other faiths. He credited Malaysia's successful management of diversity to the Federal Constitution, which recognizes Islam as the religion of the Federation while ensuring the freedom to practice other religions in peace and harmony.
The minister also mentioned that the country's unity is anchored by the Rukun Negara. Its five principles continue to serve as a moral compass in addressing challenges such as polarization, extremism, and disinformation.