MELAKA: 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.
“Ultimately, our task is to strengthen the moral and social infrastructure of peace so that differences do not become divisions, and diversity continues to serve as a foundation for unity rather than conflict,” he said in his opening address at the Second International Interfaith Peace and Harmony Forum (IIPHF II) 2026 here today.
Aaron said religion continues to play an important role as a source of compassion, peace and moral guidance, with faith communities and religious leaders continuing to promote reconciliation, social cohesion and humanitarian action.
He said interfaith engagement is no longer optional but essential in a world where polarisation, misinformation and echo chambers are reshaping how people perceive one another.
“Social peace is not merely the absence of violence or open conflict, but a condition in which trust exists between individuals and communities, differences are managed fairly, and people share a sense of security, dignity and belonging.
“Our strength does not lie in uniformity, but in our capacity to manage differences fairly, justly and constructively, while upholding mutual respect and shared human dignity,” he said.
Aaron said Malaysia, with a population of more than 34 million, remains one of Asia’s most religiously diverse countries, with Muslims making up 63.5 per cent of the population, followed by Buddhists (18.7 per cent), Christians (9.1 per cent), Hindus (6.1 per cent), while the remainder comprises Sikhs, Taoists, Bahais and adherents of other faiths.
He said Malaysia’s diversity has been successfully managed through the Federal Constitution, which recognises Islam as the religion of the Federation while guaranteeing the freedom to practise other religions in peace and harmony.
The minister said the country’s unity is further anchored by the Rukun Negara, whose five principles continue to serve as a moral compass in addressing challenges such as polarisation, extremism and disinformation. – BERNAMA
