The Algorithms Want Malaysians Divided | Ep. #5

Can Malaysians truly live in harmony if we only begin talking after conflict has already erupted? In this episode of CathoThinks, Aaron sits down with Jason Leong, founder of Christians for Peace and Harmony in Malaysia, for a thoughtful conversation about faith, interreligious dialogue and the difficult work of building peace in a multicultural nation. Jason explains why peacemaking must begin long before a crisis. It is a patient journey from suspicion to understanding, from understanding to trust, and from trust to genuine friendship and collaboration. Together, they reflect on moments of religious tension in Malaysia, the Church’s responsibility to stand beside people of every faith, and why love and compassion can sometimes accomplish what confrontation cannot. The conversation also explores: • The difference between peacekeeping and peacemaking • Why interfaith dialogue must happen before conflict begins • Whether the Malaysian Church has been too reactive • How social media intensifies racial and religious divisions • Why tolerance alone is not enough • The connection between social cohesion and economic stability • How schools, sports and everyday friendships can unite Malaysians • The role of government, religious leaders and ordinary citizens • Why Christians are called to persevere as peacemakers At the heart of this episode is a simple but urgent reminder: we do not have to agree on everything before we can become friends. Peace is built through ordinary acts of courage—sharing a meal, listening without suspicion, standing beside someone in pain and choosing to see a neighbour instead of a label. Watch the full conversation and share your thoughts: Do Malaysians genuinely understand their neighbours, or are we merely tolerating one another from a distance? Timestamps 00:00:00–00:02:35 Introduction, Jason's organisations and interfaith work 00:02:35–00:05:56 What healing and peacemaking actually mean 00:05:56–00:09:12 Peacekeeper vs peacemaker — North/South Korea analogy 00:09:14–00:16:48 Why religious communities react too late to crises 00:16:51–00:21:36 Subang Temple/Mohammad Adib example and cross-community engagement 00:21:36–00:27:34 Christchurch, Malaysian church silence, justice vs compassion 00:27:34–00:31:40 Hidden agendas, extremists and changing people through relationships 00:31:41–00:37:14 Why behind-the-scenes engagement can be better than public statements 00:37:14–00:40:57 Why young Malaysians should care about social cohesion 00:40:57–00:42:41 Childhood neighbourliness, food and open houses 00:42:41–00:46:26 School integration and the proposed interracial buddy system 00:46:26–00:50:21 Interfaith football/badminton and how sport breaks racial barriers 00:50:21–00:53:40 Social media, algorithms and racial/religious sensationalism 00:53:40–00:59:48 Yasmin Ahmad, interracial relationships and Malaysian culture 00:59:48–01:04:17 Sabah/Sarawak, intermarriage and Malaysian identity 01:04:17–01:06:19 Identity politics and feeling Malaysian first 01:06:19–01:08:24 Race, migration, returning home and Malaysian identity 01:08:24–01:11:45 America vs Malaysia, racism and Malaysian everyday acceptance 01:11:45–01:14:29 Ordinary Malaysians vs politicians, integration and intermarriage 01:14:31–01:19:00 Government's role in religious conflict resolution 01:19:00–01:21:28 Religious sensitivity, cultural mistakes and partnering instead of taking credit 01:21:28–01:25:36 Church protest, politicians and behind-the-scenes peacemaking 01:25:36–01:26:26 Why relationships with influential people matter 01:26:26–01:29:36 Faith, miracles, perseverance and being a peacemaker Subscribe to CathoThinks for honest conversations about faith, reason, culture and the questions shaping the Catholic Church and Malaysian society. #CathoThinks #InterfaithDialogue #CatholicPodcast #Christianity #Faith #Malaysia #ReligiousHarmony #Peacebuilding #SocialCohesion #ChristianLiving