KUALA LUMPUR — The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, has praised the leaders of Al-Falah Mosque in Subang Jaya and the Sri Maha Kaliamman Temple on Jalan Putra Harmoni for their efforts in assisting victims of the recent gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights.
At the same time, Sultan Nazrin emphasised that their actions—extending help without regard to race or religion—should serve as a model for others to emulate.
His Royal Highness said that their commendable gesture offered reassurance and hope amid growing concerns over racial and religious polarisation in the country.
He added that their response embodies the genuine spirit of harmony and coexistence that lives on among ordinary Malaysians, unaffected by divisive political rhetoric.
“The leaders of these two houses of worship opened their doors to victims and (emergency) workers, offering them shelter regardless of race or religion, and even allowed Muslims to perform prayers within the temple compound,” he said in his royal address at the opening of the Third Session of the 15th Perak State Legislative Assembly, held at the Perak Darul Ridzuan Building today.
The Sultan also addressed the recent controversy over the relocation of the Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman Temple in Kuala Lumpur to make way for the construction of a mosque—an issue that triggered intense public debate and was politicised to the point of causing unease among the public.
“Religious and racial issues are increasingly sensationalised and manipulated by individuals eager to be seen as champions of their faith or ethnicity, even at the risk of inciting anger and animosity among the rakyat.
“It is disheartening to witness the embrace of hate-driven politics. There is a growing concern that this trajectory could push the nation towards a future in which citizens are no longer united, but divided by resentment and hostility,” he said. — April 15, 2025