Educate people to avoid conflicts – UMS VC

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Mohd Harun beating the gong during the opening ceremony of the two-day seminar at UMS yesterday.

KOTA KINABALU: Immediate steps must be taken to look after and maintain the harmony that has been continually enjoyed in the country, said Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) vice chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr Mohd Harun Abdullah.

Speaking at the 2013 National Psychology Seminar held at the Recital Hall near here yesterday, he said the seeds of hate were already being sown slowly through provocations and it was now becoming more widespread.

“The seeds of hate include insults that are thrown against races, ethnic groups, religions, the constitutional monarchy and certain leaders and individuals as well as in the distribution of ill meaning materials that should be left merely as private collections,” he said.

He added that signs of disruption in the harmony enjoyed included the foreign intrusion at Kampung Tanduo in Lahad Datu earlier this year.

He said that in order for the harmonious condition to prevail, the people must learn to live together.

“Social harmony emphasized on ‘living together’ as the basis for sustainable progress of the country. The failure to educate the people to live together has led to bloody conflicts as was the case on May 13, 1969. There are no quick formulas to unite the community as such efforts require smart planning.”

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) opined that the pillar of social harmony lies in living together, he said.

“In Malaysia, the education of ‘living together’ is managed by our tolerance towards other individuals,” he said.