Come hard on those out to create chaos

I refer to the report “Takaful apologises”(Star ,October 14).

It was a relief to realize that Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Bhd, has apologised for any confusion that has arisen from the misinterpretation of its recent e-mail banning the company’s staff from wishing Hindus Happy Deepavali.

It was even more gratifying to know that the matter was seriously taken by Information Minister Datuk Zainuddin Maidin who rapped the officer who issued that directive to his staff. He was very right when he said that as a progressive company in a free economy, such matters should not have cropped up, especially in a multiracial society. An educated man should not have expressed such an opinion.

His sentiments were also echoed by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Abdullah Mohamed Zin and Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia director-general Dr Syed Ali Tawfik Al Attas.
It is disturbing that of late a number of such irresponsible and rather dangerous statements have been made by educated high ranking officials. This has caused a great deal of anxiety among the various races.

Since independence our forefathers have sacrificed so much to foster and develop inter racial harmony and peace in the country. We should all treasure and cherish this harmony among the people. We should not allow those with selfish and narrow-minded approach to destroy all that have been built over these years.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and other top leaders should come hard on those who use religious and racial sentiments to gain support. They must vigorously condemn those who are there to create anxiety and chaos. To build trust is difficult but to destroy it is easy.

Dr.Chris Anthony