KUALA LUMPUR – Gerakan president Datuk Dominic Lau has said the issues surrounding the nomination of Chinese new villages in Selangor as Unesco World Heritage Sites must be handled delicately.
Asked about his perspective on the matter during Perikatan Nasional’s Chinese New Year open house, Lau emphasised the importance of practising moderation in handling issues related to a multicultural society, especially when dealing with sensitive topics such as land-related matters.
“Malaysia is a multiracial melting pot. We have Malays, Chinese, Indians, Orang Asli and many more, and we live in harmony. That’s why we (Gerakan) advocate moderation in playing our roles in leading this nation, based on the ‘unity in diversity’ concept,” he told reporters at the party’s headquarters in Cheras, here, today.
“Every Malaysian has the right, regardless of race or religion, to voice their thoughts and opinions to the government and opposition parties, but history carries its own factors.
“Instead of focusing on racial and religious issues that could undermine national unity, the conversation should centre around the economy and how we can maintain the country’s harmony.”
The idea to nominate the villages was initially mooted by Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming in June of last year.
On February 1, Nga announced plans to initiate the nomination of Chinese new villages in Selangor as Unesco World Heritage Sites, acknowledging their cultural and historical significance.
Nga mentioned that discussions on this matter between the Selangor government and Putrajaya were imminent.
Highlighting that the new villages in Selangor were established in 1948, marking 76 years since their founding, Nga expressed his intention to collaborate with the state government to commence a study on the nomination process.
This announcement stirred mixed reactions, with Umno secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki arguing that the idea contradicts the federal constitution and poses a risk of disrupting harmony within the unity government.
However, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari urged that this matter not be turned into a racial issue.
Instead, Amirudin emphasised that it was still in the proposal stage and that the issue should not be blown out of proportion. – February 10, 2024