The powers of the various religions - instead of causing strife and misunderstanding - should be harnessed in such a manner as to promote unity, harmony and a more progressive Malaysia, said Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang.

Such religious issues as the Lina Joy affair and the controversy over the Mazu statue in Kudat, Sabah, have divided the various communities and highlighted the need to foster respect for all religions, not just one's own, he said.

"All religions teach mankind the virtues of charity, goodwill, compassion, tolerance, and equality (and) towards a world of peace, harmony, and compassion," said Lim at a function organised by the Padmasambhava Buddha Dharma Association Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur last night.

"For this reason, I call on Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to convene a 50th Merdeka anniversary religious leaders' summit on national unity to harness the power of religion in a positive manner for nation-building in the next half-century," he added.

Lina Joy case

Discontent among mostly non-Muslim groups remain high over the rejection by the Federal Court of an application by Joy - born into a Muslim Malay family as Azlina Jailani - to erase the term 'Islam' from her identity card without applying to the Syariah Court.

In May, Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman was criticised following its decision to halt plans to construct a statue of the Kudat Chinese community's Mazu goddess due to the site's proximity to a local mosque.

The statue, which would have been the world's tallest dedication to the Goddess of the Sea, was mooted as a tourist and economic attraction for the district.

Entering the fray, Sabah PKR said if the PAS-led state government of Kelantan can approve the construction of three large statues of Buddha in the state, "there's no reason why Sabah needs to abolish the Mazu project."