SHAH ALAM - Malaysians must reject racial and religious stereotypes and cultivate patience and understanding, says Anthony Loke.
The Transport Minister said jumping to conclusions about others based on race or religion can harm social cohesion.
“Among Malaysians, we must not stereotype each other. We should avoid thinking that a person behaves a certain way just because of their race or religion,” he said.
He said during a Fireside Chat session at the Table for Unity: Ramadan in Diversity programme held at the Karangkraf Complex last Friday.
Loke also highlighted the dangers of passing judgment too quickly, especially in the era of social media, where headlines and snippets of information can easily create misunderstandings.
“Many people see a headline and immediately pass judgment. They jump to conclusions. We must have patience, mutual respect and give the benefit of the doubt.
"Whatever you read or see, don’t pass judgment at the very beginning. Try to learn, understand, see the facts and make a judgment later," he said.
Loke said such hasty judgments not only harm individuals’ reputations but also risk undermining social unity.
He encouraged Malaysians to approach differences with curiosity and understanding rather than assumptions, fostering a society where diversity is respected and celebrated.
“Especially with social media nowadays, it’s easy for misunderstandings to spread. That’s why we must be careful, patient and thoughtful before forming opinions about others,” he added.
By rejecting stereotypes and practicing empathy, Loke said Malaysians can strengthen national unity and ensure that diversity remains a source of pride rather than division.