KUANTAN: Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob said one should be able to differentiate between religious duties and customs and not be too fixed in adhering to the practices.
He added that men could put on headskulls or songkoks but they should not mix only with those wearing the same headgear.
He also cited a school where students and teachers were segregated based on gender and that a curtain was placed between them if they were in the same place.
"It should not reach a point where a male student does not speak at all to a female student.
"Students do not have sex on their minds all the time," said Adnan before opening a motivational programme for Fifth Formers of Mara Junior Science College in Alor Akar here yesterday.
He also reminded the students that they were very fortunate to be able to study in the comfort of a residential school, equipped with the necessary facilities.
"In fact, students should count their blessings as they are now enjoying many benefits offered by the Government, unlike those in certain countries such as Afghanistan.
He also said one should not perceive that anything provided by the Government was an obligation it had to render and that it was not easy to administer a country.
"Peace prevails in Malaysia and it is not something every government of a country can achieve," he added.