KUALA LUMPUR: A group of concerned citizens have formulated a code of ethical conduct (CEC) to serve as a guideline for the people to counter divisions between Malaysians of all races.
The group, called Dialog Rakyat (People’s Dialogue), seeks to establish a network of like-minded individuals and organisations in the pursuit of national cohesion and unity to transform the country’s diversity into a source of strength.
Dialog Rakyat’s organising committee chairman Tan Sri Omar Abdul Rahman said there was a critical need to impose such a code, as irresponsible people were harping on polarising rhetoric that posed a grave threat to national harmony and unity.
“Lately, many factors have emerged threatening our national cohesion and harmony and challenging our adherence to moderation.
“We are fast becoming polarised by a multitude of factors, and our value systems, nurtured through generations, are being eroded,” Omar said at the launch of the inaugural Dialog Rakyat platform held at the Universiti Malaya Alumni Clubhouse here yesterday.
Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (Asli) chief executive officer Tan Sri Dr Michael Yeoh hoped Dialog Rakyat would be extended to other states and cities to get feedback from various community and opinion leaders.
“To maintain harmony, we need peace-loving Malaysians to stand up against elements threatening the future of the country,” Yeoh said.
He added that the resolution made at Dialog Rakyat would serve as good reference material for the Department of National Unity and Integration.
Other speakers at the event included G25 representative Tan Sri Sheriff Mohd Kassim, Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) president Tunku Zain Al’Abidin Muhriz, Inter-Faith Spiritual Fellowship Malaysia (INSaF) chairman Dr Amir Farid Isahak and Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia (PAGE) chairperson Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim.
The Star