KUALA LUMPUR – Representatives from several Malay and Indian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) met today to pursue a reconciliatory approach aimed at resolving controversies between the two communities.
The session, held under the Harmoni Madani programme at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC), brought together more than 30 delegates and lasted over four hours, Bernama reported.
All participants stressed the need for a peaceful resolution to foster harmony and mutual understanding.
Malaysian Muslim Lawyers Association president Datuk Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar highlighted the importance of an independent dialogue.
"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 said at a media conference following the programme.
Datuk N. Sivakumar, chairman of the Malaysia Council of Hindu Temples and Hindu Associations (Mahima), noted that both communities agreed to halt disputes arising from unauthorised construction of places of worship and heated social media exchanges.
"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,” Sivakumar said.
He added that proposals included establishing a dedicated committee or department under the Prime Minister's Department to coordinate related issues, along with a nationwide audit of places of worship to verify land status.
Among the attendees were activist Cikgu Chandra (S. Chandrasegaran), independent preacher Firdaus Wong, and social media influencer Kumarsan Jothi, also known as Santhanar Dronachariyar.
The session comes a day after 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. Both Zamri, 42, whose full name is Muhammad Zamri Vinoth Kalimuthu, and Arun, 56, whose full name is Arumugam Dorasamy, pleaded not guilty. - March 18, 2026
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