KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 – The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, said today understanding and effective communication among the diverse ethnic groups of Malaysian society were key to the continuous peace and harmony of the country.
He said understanding and effective communication allowed people of different cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds to interact with one another.
“I am of the firm belief that our nation’s rich diversity is something to be proud of and something to be safeguarded,” he said when launching a coffee table book entitled “The Sikh Community in Malaysia”, here.
The 266-page book was written by Malaysia National Sikhs Movement (GerakSikh) president Tan Sri Darshan Singh Gill.
Also present at the launch were the Raja Permaisuri of Perak, Tuanku Bainun; the Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, and his consort the Raja Puan Besar of Perak, Tuanku Zara Salim; Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim and Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.
Touching on the Sikh community, Sultan Azlan Shah said that despite being a minority in Malaysia – 0.3 per cent of the overall Malaysian population – the Sikhs have been able to retain their distinct cultural identity which has set them apart from the Tamil and other Indian communities.
“The Sikh community has maintained its distinctiveness most conspicuously. Their steadfastness in their religious beliefs and cultural practices and their strong sense of community have undeniably afforded the Sikh community their resilience and distinction,” he said.
The sultan said the Sikhs, who came to then Malaya and served as policemen for the British Straits Settlements and as night watchmen for industries, had garnered a reputation for their gallantry in the security forces and their competence in maintaining law and order.
“Perak was an early settlement which notably acted as the launchpad towards various security deployments in other parts of the country.
“Today, the community’s role and influence extends to all other fields, with prominence in professions such as medicine and law.
“On the whole, they form an invaluable and integral part of our colourful social fabric, and deserve due recognition for their contribution, as much as any other citizen, to Malaysia’s economic, cultural and political life,” he said.
Touching on the book, Sultan Azlan Shah said it was valuable since it not only allowed the present Malaysian Sikh community to know its ancestry, cultural heritage and origins but also promoted an understanding and appreciation amongst the wider Malaysian audience of their Sikh comrades.
“It is an instrument of dialogue between cultures. I have also always believed that historical records are very important so that the substance of the past is never lost or diluted and, in this respect, this publication is additionally praiseworthy,” he said.
The book, published by MPH, sells for RM89.90 a copy. – Bernama
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