Malay, Indian NGOs Meet To Seek Reconciliation, Resolve Controversies Amicably

PUTRAJAYA, March 18 (Bernama) -- Several Malay and Indian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) met today to find a point of reconciliation in an effort to reach an amicable and comprehensive resolution to the controversies between the two communities.

The reconciliation session, which began at 3 pm under the Harmoni MADANI programme, was attended by over 30 representatives from both communities and lasted more than four hours at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) here.

All the NGO representatives urged that a peaceful point of reconciliation be reached immediately to pave the way for a harmonious resolution for both parties.

Malaysian Muslim Lawyers Association president Datuk Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar said the dialogue session provides both communities with space to consult without external influence.

"We are striving to defuse the current situation. We will engage in dialogue and hold discussions with one another.

"We are no longer looking at third-party comments or provocations by others, and this is a starting point, and we want to move forward,” he told a media conference after the Harmoni MADANI programme here today. 

The Malaysia Council of Hindu Temples and Hindu Associations (Mahima) chairman, Datuk N. Sivakumar, said both parties agreed that the controversies arising from issues such as the construction of places of worship without permission and the heated disputes on social media needed to be stopped immediately.

"We have verbally agreed that this is an issue at an early stage of consultation… to sit down and discuss with one another.

"Because this issue has become heated. We need to set aside our egos,” he said.

Sivakumar said that among the main proposals raised was the setting up of a special committee or department under the Prime Minister's Department to coordinate related issues, as well as the implementation of a nationwide audit of places of worship to obtain accurate data on land status.

Among those present were activist Cikgu Chandra, whose real name is S. Chandrasegaran; independent preacher Firdaus Wong; and influencer Kumarsan Jothi @ Santhanar Dronachariyar.

Yesterday, Zamri Vinoth and activist Arun Dorasamy were among three individuals charged in the Sessions Court across several states for allegedly making statements that caused public alarm.

However, Zamri Vinoth, 42, whose real name is Muhammad Zamri Vinoth Kalimuthu, and Arun, whose real name is Arumugam Dorasamy, 56, both pleaded not guilty.

-- BERNAMA