Aaron calls on Malaysians to cherish, preserve country's rich culture
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians should continue appreciating, preserving, and celebrating the rich cultural heritage that exists in the country's diverse society, said National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang.
He said Malaysia is a unique nation, home to people of various races, ethnicities, languages, and beliefs, where this diversity has never been a barrier to progress, but instead serves as a valuable asset in enriching the country's national identity.
'In conjunction with the World Day for Cultural Diversity, which is celebrated on May 21 every year, I would like to call on all Malaysians to continue cherishing, safeguarding and embracing our cultural richness.
'In today's world, which is increasingly polarised by racist sentiments, extremism and narrow identity concepts, we need to emerge as a model of a harmonious and diverse society, guided by the values of moderation, mutual respect and open dialogue,' he said in a Facebook post today.
According to him, the World Day for Cultural Diversity was introduced by the United Nations (UN) in 2002 in recognition of the role of culture in shaping peace, sustainability and development.
Aaron said the celebration aimed to promote intercultural dialogue, build mutual understanding and instil tolerance among communities of diverse backgrounds.
He said the Malay traditions, Chinese heritage, Indian culture, indigenous customs of Sabah and Sarawak, as well as the various minority communities, contributed to the diversity in food, art, clothing, religious ceremonies, music, dance and language that made Malaysia known internationally.
'Moderation is not just a principle, but an approach to life that rejects extremes and chooses a balanced middle path.
In diversity, we need to instil the value of acceptance and understand that differences are not a threat, but a unifying force. Through respect between communities and open communication, we can resolve misunderstandings, build empathy and strengthen bonds as Malaysians united in diversity,' he said.
He said the World Day for Cultural Diversity celebration should be a catalyst for efforts to instil cross-cultural understanding, strengthen dialogue between communities and strengthen the identity of Malaysians as a nation united in diversity.
At the same time, he called on the people to continue to preserve and nurture the country's cultural treasures for a more peaceful, prosperous and harmonious future for Malaysia.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
44 minutes ago
- Barnama
Iran Says UNSC Must Act Against Israel's Blatant Aggression
Firefighters work at the scene of a damaged building in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS KUALA LUMPUR, June 13 (Bernama) -- Iran has urged the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to take immediate action against Israel's blatant attacks on its territory, which Tehran said constituted violation of international peace and security. The Iranian Foreign Ministry underscored the Security Council's responsibility to respond without delay. 'The Zionist regime's attacks on Iran constitute a violation of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter and a blatant act of aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran. bootstrap slideshow 'We call upon the President and members of the Council to act without delay in this regard,' the ministry said in a statement made available by the Iranian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. It also called on the UN Secretary-General to intervene immediately, reminding him of his duties under the UN Charter. The ministry called on all member states of the UN, particularly regional and Islamic countries, members of the Non-Aligned Movement, and governments to condemn the aggression and take urgent and collective measures to counter the reckless adventurism. The attacks have undeniably placed global peace and security under unprecedented threat, it added. Israel began striking Iran at around 3 am local time on Friday, targeting both military and nuclear facilities, as well as residential areas, according to Iranian media reports. -- BERNAMA
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Myanmar jet crash killed four civilians
YANGON: A Myanmar junta jet that crashed in a war zone this week killed four people as it smashed into a village where civilians were sheltering from fighting, a local official said on Friday. Myanmar has been consumed by civil war since the military ousted a democratic government in 2021. More than three million people are currently displaced, according to United Nations figures. Anti-coup guerrillas claimed they downed the jet on Tuesday after four days of intense combat in the central Sagaing region, while Myanmar's junta said it crashed due to "sudden engine failure." Zaw Htet, a local administrator from the rebel-held area, said there were four fatalities as the jet destroyed five buildings on impact in the village of Sa Par Sayt. "They were killed in their houses. Three of them were IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) who had come to stay at the village," said Zaw Htet. Analysis of social media images of the crash site by the Britain-based Centre for Information Resilience's Myanmar Witness project identified the jet as a Chinese-manufactured single-seat Chengdu F-7. Myanmar's military has suffered stinging territorial losses in recent months, but analysts say its air force, backed by China and Russia, has been key to fending off its myriad opponents. The military and some of its adversaries have pledged a truce this month as the country continues to recover from March's devastating magnitude-7.7 earthquake, which killed nearly 3,800 people. However, the People's Liberation Army – a communist group that took up arms after the coup – said it downed the jet 130 kilometres (80 miles) west of Mandalay city, the area worst hit by the tremor. The junta's information team said the jet had been on a training flight when it was stricken by a technical malfunction.
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Myanmar jet crash in village killed four civilians: local official
YANGON (AFP): A Myanmar junta jet that crashed in a war zone this week killed four people as it smashed into a village where civilians were sheltering from fighting, a local official said Friday. Myanmar has been consumed by civil war since the military ousted a democratic government in 2021. More than three million people are currently displaced, according to United Nations figures. Anti-coup guerillas claimed they downed the jet on Tuesday after four days of intense combat in central Sagaing region, while Myanmar's junta said it crashed because of "sudden engine failure". Zaw Htet, a local administrator from the rebel-held area, said there were four fatalities as the jet destroyed five buildings on impact in the village of Sa Par Sayt. "They were killed in their houses. Three of them were IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) who came to stay at the village," said Zaw Htet. Analysis of social media images of the crash site by the Britain-based Centre for Information Resilience's Myanmar Witness project identified the jet as a Chinese-manufactured single-seat Chengdu F-7. Myanmar's military has suffered stinging territorial losses in recent months, but analysts say its air force backed by China and Russia has been key to fending off its myriad opponents. The military and some of its adversaries have pledged a truce this month as the country continues to recover from March's devastating magnitude-7.7 earthquake which killed nearly 3,800 people. But the People's Liberation Army -- a communist group which took up arms after the coup -- said it downed the jet 130 kilometres (80 miles) west of Mandalay city, the area worst-hit by the tremor. The junta information team said the jet had been on a training flight when it was stricken by a technical malfunction. - AFP
