Former home minister Syed Hamid Albar appeared flustered when quizzed on Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar’s stand with regard to interfaith custody disputes.

Asked if he thought the police chief had acted in the right manner, he replied: "This has nothing to do with SPAD (Land Public Transport Commission)."

When met by Malaysiakini later, the SPAD chairperson quipped: "Why ask difficult questions?"     

During the press conference earlier, Syed Hamid was asked to comment regarding the current interfaith disputes based on his previous position as home minister.

Stressing on the importance of racial harmony, he said: "Malaysia is a prosperous country, the beauty about Malaysia is that we learn to live with each other."

Conflicts, he said, cannot be avoided because of the differences, but stressed that it must be managed to find amicable solutions.

"There will be sensitivity and we must respect the sensitivity (of the various races and faiths).

"Let's not sensationalise this issue, to the extent that it creates hatred among each other," he told reporters.

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