21/03/2026

SATURDAY | MAR 21, 2026

18 Sacred spaces, shared ground I T often begins with a sentence – remark made, a clip shared or a viewpoint amplified – and suddenly, something quiet long been sustained by something quieter and far more enduring: it lives in places we rarely think to look. larger fabric together. None of this is accidental; it is the product of years – decades – of learning how to live alongside one another with a degree of respect that does not always make headlines. P O T T U O N P O I N T

restraint, when it would be easier to react; with thoughtfulness, when it would be quicker to dismiss; and with care, when it would be tempting to provoke. Because in a country as layered as ours, sensitivity is not a constraint; it is a form of wisdom. Perhaps that is the reminder we need now: that what we have – this fragile, imperfect but deeply meaningful coexistence – should never be taken for granted. That the spaces we hold sacred, whether temples, mosques or churches, deserve to be spoken of with an understanding of what they represent to those who seek solace within them. Most of all, that the strength of Malaysia has never rested in uniformity but in the quiet, consistent effort to hold together what is different. The noise will pass – it always does. But what remains – what must remain – is the choice we make after. To be a little more careful, thoughtful and aware that in this shared ground we call home, every word carries weight. And that sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do is not to speak louder but to speak with greater care. HashiniKavishtri Kannan is the assistant news editor at theSun. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

In hospital wards, where race dissolves into responsibility. A Malay nurse tends to a Chinese patient with the same attentiveness she would offer her own family. An Indian doctor reassures a frightened child in halting Bahasa Malaysia, choosing comfort over perfection – no one pauses to question the boundaries. Care, in its purest form, has no need for such distinctions. It exists in homes as well. Many Malaysian children grow up in the arms of caregivers who do not share their race or religion. They learn early that love does not arrive neatly categorised. The woman who feeds them, scolds them and soothes them to sleep becomes kakak , aunty, amma – a figure of trust that quietly transcends the lines adults so often draw. And then there are the rituals we share, sometimes without even realising their significance. The open houses during Hari Raya, Deepavali, Chinese New Year – the easy exchange of food, the willingness to step into someone else’s celebration without hesitation. These moments may seem ordinary, even routine, but they are in many ways the threads that hold the strategic maritime chokepoints have forced major shipping companies to reroute cargo, adding weeks to delivery times, billions to logistics costs and escalating insurance premiums. For export-oriented Asean economies that depend on seamless trade flows with Europe and beyond, these delays translate into higher consumer prices, manufacturing slowdowns and diminished competitiveness. Beyond economics, Asean must grapple with the social and security dimensions of Middle Eastern conflicts. Governments face the delicate task of balancing diplomatic neutrality with domestic expectations for stronger advocacy on humanitarian issues. Left unaddressed, public frustration can fuel polarisation and, in worst-case scenarios, provide fertile ground for extremist narratives. So what must Asean do to weather these crosswinds? First, Asean should strengthen regional supply chain resilience. This means deepening intra-Asean trade integration, developing alternative shipping corridors and investing in port infrastructure that can absorb disruptions. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership provides a framework for such cooperation but political will must translate into concrete action. Second, the bloc must accelerate its energy transition and diversification strategies. Investing in renewable energy infrastructure, expanding liquefied natural gas through strategic partnerships and building petroleum reserves would

becomes unsettled. In recent days, conversations involving Zamri Vinoth, Cikgu Chandra and others have turned the nation’s gaze towards Hindu temples – not just as places of worship but as points of contention. These are not easy conversations – they never are. In Malaysia, faith is not merely personal; it is woven into identity, history and belonging. A temple is not simply a structure of stone and colour; it is faith made visible. It holds the footsteps of generations, the murmur of prayers offered in both desperation and gratitude, the quiet continuity of a community finding its place in a changing world. To speak about such spaces without care risks unsettling more than opinion; it touches something deeply felt, often inherited rather than chosen. But if there is one thing Malaysia has always demanded of its people, it is this: a certain gentleness in how we handle one another’s differences. Not silence but sensitivity. Not avoidance but awareness. Because the truth is, for all the noise that surfaces from time to time, this country has THE fires burning in the Middle East may seem distant to the bustling cities of Southeast Asia but their smoke is already drifting eastward. The escalation of war has become a direct “risk multiplier” for Southeast Asia’s economy, domestic cohesion and citizen safety. From the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict to escalating tensions involving Iran and disruptions in the Red Sea, the geopolitical tremors emanating from the region pose significant challenges for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). As global supply chains fracture and energy markets tremble, Asean must confront an uncomfortable truth: in an interconnected world, no region is an island. The most immediate concern for Southeast Asian economies is energy security. Asean nations remain heavily dependent on oil and gas imports, with the Middle East supplying a substantial portion of the region’s petroleum needs. Southeast Asia relies on the Middle East for about 60% of its current oil imports, making the region highly sensitive to price spikes. The risk is amplified by chokepoints: the Strait of Hormuz alone carried about 20.9 million barrels per day for the first half of 2025. When conflicts intensify near the Strait of Hormuz or disrupt production in oil-producing states, fuel costs ripple across Southeast Asian markets, pushing up inflation and squeezing household budgets already strained by post-pandemic recovery. Equally troubling is the disruption to global shipping routes. Attacks at

It is built on small, daily decisions: to pause before reacting, to ask before assuming, to recognise that what may seem trivial to one person can be deeply significant to another. That is why moments like these matter. Not because disagreement is new but because of how easily it can tip into something less constructive. In an age where opinions travel faster than understanding and where outrage often outpaces reflection, it becomes dangerously simple to reduce complex realities into sharp, divisive lines. And yet, beyond the glare of public debate, Malaysia continues to function in ways that defy that narrative. People still show up for one another and still extend kindness across differences. They still choose, more often than not, to coexist rather than confront. This does not mean we are without fault – far from it. There are tensions, misunderstandings and moments that test the limits of our patience. But perhaps what defines us is not the absence of these challenges but the way we respond to them: with

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“Perhaps that is the reminder we need now: that what we have – this fragile, imperfect but deeply meaningful coexistence – should never be taken for granted. That the spaces we hold sacred, whether temples, mosques or churches, deserve to be spoken of with an understanding of what they represent to those who seek solace within them.

COMMENT by Dr G. Periasamy Navigating the storm: Asean’s strategy for resilience

As global supply chains fracture and energy markets tremble, Asean must confront an uncomfortable truth: in an interconnected world, no region is an island. – REUTERSPIC

reduce dependence on volatile Middle Eastern supplies. Third, the bloc must reinforce its diplomatic machinery. Asean’s tradition of non-interference and consensus-building remains valuable but it must also be complemented by more proactive engagement with Middle Eastern partners and multilateral institutions. Quiet diplomacy can help de escalate tensions, secure energy agreements and protect the interests of Southeast Asian migrant workers in the Gulf states. Finally, Asean’s greatest strength remains its diplomatic neutrality. The

that the shadows of distant wars do not dim the bright future of Southeast Asia. For Asean, the challenge is not merely to survive the turbulence but to emerge stronger, more united, and better prepared for a world where distant conflicts can strike close to home. The worst is yet to come. Thus, the time for complacency has passed. The time for preparation is now. DrG. Periasamy is a senior research fellow at the National Institute of Public Administration. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

bloc’s collective call for a cessation of hostilities and a return to international law remains a vital stabilising force. By speaking with one voice, Asean can protect its nationals abroad and advocate for the open sea lanes upon which its prosperity depends. The storm in the Middle East is a reminder that in our interconnected world, no region can function independently. Asean has proven its ability to weather crises before. By prioritising energy security and regional coordination today, it can ensure