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Kota Kinabalu: National development should be measured by whether people live with dignity, trust one another, respect diversity and work together for the common good, rather than by economic growth or infrastructure alone, National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said.
Opening the Roundtable Discussion on "Multi-Faith Partnership in Praxis for Human Flourishing and Dignity" held here on Tuesday, he said Malaysia could redefine development by drawing on its religious and moral traditions while viewing diversity as a national strength.
Aaron said the greatest threat facing society was a deficit of trust, empathy and social cohesion, stressing that genuine multi-faith partnership must go beyond tolerance to joint action in addressing shared social challenges.
He said the Ministry's Harmony Madani Initiative, launched in 2024, promotes interfaith engagement through dialogues, outreach programmes, documentaries, social media campaigns and World Interfaith Harmony Week under the values of Understand, Respect, Accept and Celebrate.
Aaron also called on religious leaders to strengthen social harmony and said the Ministry's focus under the 13th Malaysia Plan would emphasise nation-building anchored on the Federal Constitution, the Rukun Negara, mutual respect and shared responsibility.