PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA March 18 2026 – In a significant step towards healing community divides, several Malay and Indian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) gathered here yesterday for a dialogue session aimed at finding amicable solutions to ongoing controversies between the two communities.
The reconciliation meeting, held under the Harmoni MADANI programme at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC), brought together more than 30 representatives from both sides. The closed-door session, which commenced at 3pm, extended for over four hours.
Representatives from both communities unanimously called for an immediate peaceful resolution to foster harmony and mutual understanding.
Datuk Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar, president of the Malaysian Muslim Lawyers Association, emphasised the importance of direct dialogue without external interference.
“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 during a media conference after the session.
Datuk N. Sivakumar, chairman of the Malaysia Council of Hindu Temples and Hindu Associations (Mahima), noted that both parties had agreed to address sensitive issues promptly. He highlighted problems such as the construction of places of worship without proper permissions and escalating disputes on social media.
“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.
Among the key proposals discussed was the establishment of a special committee or department under the Prime Minister’s Department to better coordinate such matters. The groups also suggested conducting a nationwide audit of places of worship to clarify land status and ownership details.
Prominent attendees included activist Cikgu Chandra (S. Chandrasegaran), independent preacher Firdaus Wong, and influencer Kumarsan Jothi @ Santhanar Dronachariyar.
The meeting comes amid heightened tensions, following the charging of individuals including Zamri Vinoth (Muhammad Zamri Vinoth Kalimuthu, 42) and activist Arun Dorasamy (Arumugam Dorasamy, 56) yesterday in various Sessions Courts for allegedly making statements that caused public alarm. Both pleaded not guilty to the charges.
This initiative marks a positive step in promoting inter-community harmony in Malaysia through direct engagement and constructive dialogue.
Source: Adapted from Bernama report
About The Author
