By Shannon Teoh
The Malaysian Insider
May 17, 2011
KUALA LUMPUR, May 17 — As religious tensions run high on the local front, Datuk Seri Najib Razak has called on moderates of all religions to come together.
Speaking at the Islamic Centre of the prestigious Oxford University in Britain, the prime minister also said that it was not enough to go after individuals or organisations to address global violence as a lasting solution could only be achieved by seeking out root causes.
“Our choice is clear. Come together in action for a future of justice, freedom, hope, compassion and goodwill for our children or it will be replaced by a future of injustice, tyranny, hopelessness, cruelty and hate.
“Because the real divide is not between East and West or between the developed and developing worlds or even between Muslims and non-Muslims. It is between moderates and extremists of all religions,” Najib (picture) said in a speech on the “Coalition of Moderates and Inter-Civilisational Understanding” early this morning.
The Umno president’s speech comes just a week after Utusan Malaysia, a Malay daily owned by his party, alleged that church leaders were in a plot with the DAP to turn Malaysia into a Christian state and install a Christian prime minister.
Christian leaders and DAP members have denied the reports which have sparked protests but the Home Ministry has only slapped Utusan Malaysia with a warning letter for publishing the unsubstantiated report.
Najib was forced to meet with church leaders to clear the air but Umno vice president and Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein later said that there was “some basis” to the reports.
Malays rights group Perkasa also threatened Christians nationwide that it would wage a crusade or holy war should the church proceed with the alleged agenda to usurp Islam.
The Barisan Nasional chief said in his speech today that all religions must make their voices heard against religious extremism.
“It would be too easy to say that the solution to Islamic extremism is simply for more Muslims to speak up and to speak out. Yes, it is our responsibility, but it is not ours alone.
“Just as Muslims need to make their voices heard, so do the Christians, the Jews, the Buddhists, the Hindus and the atheists who are sickened by intolerance, violence and terror and need to make their voices heard,” he said.
Quoting from the Quran, Bible and personalities known for non-violent approaches such as Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, he said that “modernisation and moderation must go hand in hand.”
“Quite simply, we cannot allow this moment to be overtaken by extremists, with those who shout loudest gaining the most,” he told an audience who included renowned academicians, MPs, corporate figures and students.
He said the concerted voices of moderates in all countries and from all walks of life would be able to counter terrorism and deliver “the prize of peace.”
“We must address the underlying causes of global violence. Merely going after specific individuals, dismantling their organisations, disrupting their finances and discrediting their ideologies is far from enough,” Najib said.
Early this month, the United States announced that al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was killed in a firefight with US forces in Pakistan.
However, several leading figures warned that bin Laden’s death would lead to a backlash from Muslim extremists.
Bin Laden had masterminded the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington that killed nearly 3,000 people, after which the US proclaimed a global “war on terror.”
“We must be able to differentiate between the symptoms and the root causes. Only then, can we achieve a lasting solution,” Najib added.
#1 by best4rakyat on Tuesday, 17 May 2011 - 11:19 am
Happy Wesak Day and everyone include non-buddhist or muslim malaysian enjoy 1Nation holiday today celebrating this Wesak yearly.Do you or not?
#2 by baochingtian on Tuesday, 17 May 2011 - 11:46 am
//Fuel subsidies are ‘like opium’ to the economy and will have be reduced gradually to bring the budget deficit under control, Najib Razak says in Oxford.// Mkini
Why a deficit in the first place? You big billion dollar spenders with direct negotiations on mega projects and you squeeze dollars and cents from the rakyat, shame on you!
#3 by yhsiew on Tuesday, 17 May 2011 - 11:58 am
If Najib could not control the “immoderate” and extremists at home, he should not give such rhetoric speech at an international gathering lest he be accused of prevarication.
#4 by Loh on Tuesday, 17 May 2011 - 12:13 pm
///Speaking at the Islamic Centre of the prestigious Oxford University in Britain, the prime minister also said that it was not enough to go after individuals or organisations to address global violence as a lasting solution could only be achieved by seeking out root causes.///
For a while I thought Oxford has lowered its standard in academic areas. Religion, oh religion Najib certainly thinks that he is qualified when his government would even deny Christians to address the God with their familiar salutation. Malaysia is used to getting people to slow down so that others can catch up, Najib certainly can teach the Islamic centre how to demote other religion so that one would advance.
Curiously why would not Najib said what he intended for Oxford audience while he was still in Malaysia when Utusan was trying to create Tengku Razaleigh’s Christian head wear.
#5 by wanderer on Tuesday, 17 May 2011 - 12:20 pm
“Hypocrisy at its best”…a simple lesson, don’t hurt others and others will not hurt you!
#6 by baochingtian on Tuesday, 17 May 2011 - 12:26 pm
How come racial and religious issues in bolehland never achieve a lasting solution and even worsened thru’out these 4 years? coz the symptoms n root cause were not real, they were created to achieve a hidden agenda.
#7 by baochingtian on Tuesday, 17 May 2011 - 12:29 pm
Wonder how much he has to spend to get him into Oxford? Looks like barang going to naik again!
#8 by negarawan on Tuesday, 17 May 2011 - 2:14 pm
His speeches are written by APCO. Najib is a true hypocrite or “munafik” as the muslims say i.e a person who pretends to be pious but in reality is a crook.
#9 by negarawan on Tuesday, 17 May 2011 - 2:26 pm
Najip is in New York now. I hope that the US investors will humiliate him and his UMNO entourage for all the human right violations, persecution of opposition politicians, non-malays and non-muslims. I hope that the US administration, corporations and public are aware of the dire situation in Malaysia and not believe in Najip’s lies.
#10 by limkamput on Tuesday, 17 May 2011 - 3:10 pm
Dear PM, how do you galvanise the energy and the power of the moderates when every of your apparatus, instruments and probably you yourself have continued to embolden extremists, racists and bullies in our midst. Your calling is oxymoron.
#11 by Loh on Tuesday, 17 May 2011 - 5:02 pm
///Diversity, dialogue and peaceful co-existence are important themes in Islam. In the holy Quran, Allah SWT expounds that, the very reason He creates human beings into distinct nations and tribes is as a blessing so that humanity may embrace and celebrate their diversity. When then, did Islam and extremism become synonymous? When then, did perpetrators of hate and terror hijack the religion of peace and compassion? How did acts of extremism by a few minorities of Muslims come to be seen as a reflection of Islam and its followers? Such vile misrepresentations are a source of great anguish to me and to the vast majority of Muslims.///– Najib speaking at Oxford University
Islam is the religion of Malaysia, and yet the government allows policies that go against the teaching of diversity and peaceful co-existence that the country practises polarization dividing fellow Malaysians into bumiputras, and non-bumiputras. The Malaysian constitution says that all Malaysians are equal and there were people who are placed in the special position for assistance. Reid commission considered that 15 years was needed for the weak to graduate from their special position, and a review might be made, as provided in the original Article 153. Fifteen years would have built up a generation of persons who would be capable then to look after their families, without further burdening the society. Tun Razak utilized the fear the minority had against a repeat of May 13 to launch the new economic policy and promised that that would end within a generation of 20 years. He indicated a ballpark figure of 30% share capital to be owned by Malays, at the conclusion of NEP. Had UMNO government been sincere, it should have ended NEP in 1990, and concentrate on utilizing funds through borrowing or Petronas revenue to make good the shortfall against the 30% target, if any. But UMNO government took NEP as the special rights of Malays; it did not conduct a proper accounting as the accomplishment of the racially discriminating policies under the aegis of NEP, and let NEP runs on. Najib declared NEM in 2009 and yet he quickly reverted to full NEP when Perkasa and Mahathir sounded their opposition. If Najib worked at moderation, then Perkasa and Mahathir pushed for extremism. Yet Najib is not able to pursue moderation in the country when he is the all powerful prime minister. It is pathetic of Najib to use Oxford University as a venue to project, falsely, the image that he is moderate. Don’t preach Najib when you can’t even try to do what you preach
#12 by Loh on Tuesday, 17 May 2011 - 5:32 pm
///When four young men headed south from Yorkshire one morning in July, six years ago, maybe they thought the home-made bombs they carried in their backpacks made them “real Muslims”. Maybe they thought that by blowing themselves up, they were acting in accordance with the will of Allah, that they were following the teachings of the Quran. How wrong they were.
I would like to emphatically state that those who strap explosives on their bodies and blow themselves up are not martyrs. They do not represent Islam. Unknowingly, they are misguided into committing a grievous sin. So too, all those who preach hate and stoke the fire of intolerance in leading to this most blasphemous act, they too are as guilty as the perpetrators.
Our heart goes out to their victims who are innocent, defenceless civilians going about their daily life. Islam never condones such a vile act. Neither is it part of the teachings of Islam.///–Najib
Sensible talk! But Najib has not told Ibrahim Ali that he is not allowed to stoke the fire of jihad just because Christians were said to pray for something he did not approve. Yet Ibrahim Ali is the president of Perkasa where some UMNO members are joint members.
///In fact, Islam abhors suicide; as stated clearly in the Holy Quran, Chapter 2 verse 195 which reads: “do not throw yourselves with your own hands into destruction”. Therefore, suicide is impermissible under any circumstances.
Life in Islam is a sacred trust from the Almighty whose fate shall be determined by His will alone. It is pertinent to note that under the five higher objectives of Islamic law or “maqasid syariah” the first and foremost concern is the protection and preservation of life.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
A world free from terrorism is possible. It is not beyond our reach. It needs men and women of goodwill among the faithful of all creeds; it requires a vanguard of the moderates, it demands us to stop being a silent majority and to start reflecting the courage of our conviction.///–Najib
Can Najib tell Malaysians whether the country can be free from racism? In fact the moment UMNO discards race-based politics and stop claiming that it represents Malays, MCA and MIC will have no basis to exist as a race-based political party. Racial polarization perpetrated through religious divide generates extremists such as represented by Perkasa. May 13 could be termed terrorism. Can Malaysia be free from terrorism?
///We must address the underlying causes of global violence. Merely going after specific individuals, dismantling their organisations, disrupting their finances and discrediting their ideologies is far from enough. We must be able to differentiate between the symptoms and the root causes. Only then, can we achieve a lasting solution.
It would be too easy to say that the solution to Islamic extremism is simply for more Muslims to speak up and to speak out. Yes, it is our responsibility, but it is not ours alone. Just as Muslims need to make their voices heard, so do the Christians, the Jews, the Buddhists, the Hindus and the Atheists who are sickened by intolerance, violence and terror and need to make their voices heard. We need to hear the concerted voices from moderates in all countries and from all walks of life. And when we do, the prize of peace is there for all to see.///–Najib
Unfortunately, in Malaysia, Christians are not even allowed to pray for a prime minister who shares Christian faith. Isn’t it more important for Najib to ensure that persons who share his religious faith pursue the right teaching than to worry about religious extremism outside the country?
///But while one man standing in the road is a nuisance, a mere distraction, ten men standing together are far harder to ignore. And if those ten become a hundred, a thousand, a million, a billion even, they become a force so big, so strong and so united in their common cause that those who espouse hatred will face a very simple choice.
They can join us, or they can remain where they are and be crushed by the force of our collective will.///–Najib
ISA in Malaysia ensure that people re not even allowed to be seen to oppose draconian policies. Walk and talk are distinctly different.
#13 by Loh on Tuesday, 17 May 2011 - 6:31 pm
///So it is for people who cherish moderation, dignity and justice everywhere to stand firm, and stand proud, to dissipate the pull of terror and to deny those at the margins a foothold in the middle ground ensuring that frustrations, wherever they are felt, are heeded and that voices, wherever they speak out, are heard.
Quite simply, we cannot allow this moment to be overtaken by extremists, with those who shout loudest gaining the most.
That is why we are all here this evening to foster not a clash of civilisations but to further an understanding, and perhaps even a celebration of our difference and, at the same time, of everything we share. Modernisation and moderation must go hand in hand. Our dialogue must continue.///–Najib speaking in Oxford
Suqiu while presented to Mamakthir before the 1999 general election was accepted by the government as if they would be implemented. Suqiu group was termed terrorists. That was during Mamakthir’s reign and Mamakthir never talked about moderation. Would Najib hear out, or read the request by Suqiu? If Najib acts on it, then he can disband his Talent Corp in luring Malaysians Diaspora home.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
///Allow me to relate the Malaysian experience. Providence and history has endowed us with a nation-state that epitomises the very essence of diversity. Malaysia is blessed not only with ethnic diversity but also of culture, language and religion. Since independence in 1957, with the exception of the May 13 tragedy, Malaysians have lived in relative peace and stability.
In Malaysia, Islam is synonymous with moderation, inclusiveness and good governance. Sixty percent of Malaysians are Muslims, the other forty percent profess a variety of faiths i.e. Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and others. Although the Malaysian Constitution provides for Islam as the religion of the Federation, it protects the right of all Malaysians to practise their religion in peace and harmony.///– Najib
But Malaysians of non-Muslims faith are not free from fear of jihad as suggested by Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali. Yet Najib has taken no action against a person who could start fire in the country.
///In light of this diversity, national unity continues to be the overriding objective. Since assuming the office of Prime Minister in April 2009, I have continued to make this overarching goal the top priority of my administration through the guiding philosophy of 1Malaysia, emphasising People First, Performance Now.
In managing our plurality, we have decided on integration as opposed to assimilation. Malaysians accept their diversity. We do not merely tolerate each other but we also embrace and celebrate. By leveraging the robustness and dynamism of our diversity, we have created a foundation for our national resilience.
In the short span of fifty years, Malaysians have managed to transform from a low-income agricultural economy dependent on a few commodities into a diversified modern industrial upper middle-income nation. The United Nations Development Programme currently classifies Malaysia as a high Human Development Index nation.///–Najib
Najib should be ashamed that after 54 years of nationhood, national unity is worst than when Malaysia achieved its independence. Racial harmony now is even worse than in 1969 when May 13 occurred. Of course May 13 was not caused by racial disharmony; it was caused by a coup d’etat when politicians chose to negate the will of the voters. Having put into practice policies that was against national unity, 40 years later, national unity has to be talk about as the overriding objective when that should have been taken for granted.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
///Islam is practised as a way of life in Malaysia. The Government advocates a path of Wasatiyah or justly balanced moderation whether in formulating and executing domestic policies or in conducting international relations. Let me put this in perspective so that there will be no room for confusion or misinterpretation.///–Najib
Najib had not been specific that it was 60% of the population who practised Islam. But non-Muslims face obstacles practising their religion freely, such as Christians are not allowed to call their God in the name that have been used since the 16th century, namely ‘Alxxh’.
#14 by Loh on Tuesday, 17 May 2011 - 6:33 pm
///I would like to stress that the principle of moderation is not new in Islam. Wasatiyah, is a recurring theme in the Quran. Verse 143 Chapter 2 states:
“We have made you into a community that is justly balanced”.
The Quran goes further that with moderation, there must be justice and justice presupposes knowledge and freedom. It is therefore important to remember that education, coupled with democratic principles of freedom, allows us to choose what is good and virtuous. It is only logical that moderates choose a path that is true and right. Moderates must defend and promote these ideals. What is false or misleading should be rejected and expunged.
Moderation is also advocated in Christianity. If I may quote from the Bible, Philippians Chapter 4 verse 5 which says: “Let your moderation be known unto all men”
This essentially calls for all Christians to live their daily lives in moderation and not do anything in excess. Judaism also calls for the middle road. The Torah teaches that moderation in life and etiquette, in character and traits, as well as in one’s lifestyle is a way of life’ in the truest sense of Jewish customs. In Taoism, the principle of moderation is considered a critical component of one’s personal development and forms part of the three pillars of its teaching.///– Najib speaking in Oxford
Muslims and Christians share the same God. Yet Malaysians who did not understand its own religion claim that Christians worship three Gods, when God was referred to in three names, Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, the trinity. Yet trinity is not written in the Bible. (Please refer to NH Chan’s writing.)
///There is no such thing as a liberal Islam or an extremist Islam, a conservative Islam or an enlightened Islam, a jihadist Islam or an appeasing Islam, a modern Islam or a medieval Islam. There is only Islam, a complete way of life. Being moderate cannot in any way be equated to a wimp, unprincipled, weak or appeasing.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In following the best Islamic tradition, Malaysia shall not waver from supporting what is right and just notwithstanding whether the cause is championed by the Islamic world or beyond. We shall not retreat in the defence of the weak and the oppressed whatever their creed or colour.///– Najib
But UMNO practises parliamentary bully through gerrymandering. Worse UMNO policies discriminates against the numerically weak who cannot hope to change the government through ballot boxes.
///We will not be silenced from speaking the truth.///–Najib
But the printing license act prevents mainstream newspapers in Malaysia from speaking the truth. But Utusan Melayu the UMNO newspaper is allowed to print rumours and to influence voters to support UMNO out of manufactured fear.
///We are now all too aware of the dangers of terrorism and violent extremism. From the 9/11 attacks, to the Madrid and Bali bombings, to the destruction caused here in London, many live in continuous fear of losing their lives at any given moment.
As chapters of the history of terrorism and extreme violence are still being written, its plot pivots around a single question – Why do people take such extreme measures to the extent of taking another’s life or even their own? I am sure that many here are aware of some of the more common factors that lead people to commit such atrocities.
It has often been cited that lack of economic development and education has led some people to turn to extreme measures like terrorism. In other cases, it is despair and a sense of utter hopelessness. Humiliation is another wellspring. While most have acknowledged these factors, if we observe more carefully, we will find that some terrorists come from well-off families and are very much educated.
In most cases, it is a combination of these factors that terrorism continues to persist. For them, terrorism is the pursuit of political goals through other means. They also hide behind the mask of religion in pursuit of their goals. Some really believe that other religions and civilisations represent the enemy and that there is no place for peaceful coexistence.
For them, the world is a zero sum game where one side can win only at the expense of the other. They propagate this to get others to fight and die for their cause. Thus, in a peculiar way, the role of religion has ironically, increased the scale and lethality of the terrorist threat considerably.///–Najib
Why does Najib still believe that terrorism could break up in Malaysia if NEP ends today?
#15 by Loh on Tuesday, 17 May 2011 - 6:36 pm
///Ladies and Gentlemen,
Terrorism and extremism are serious challenges. Overcoming them requires clear thinking based on an objective assessment of the situation. One real and symbolic cause looming large as a rallying cry for global extremism is the unresolved Middle East problem, the plight of the Palestinian people. It has haunted the global conscience for far too long. Every peace-loving nation which seeks a better world must work towards an everlasting resolution based on the principles of a viable two state solution and equitable justice for all involved.
Malaysia unequivocally supports the struggle of the Palestinian people for an independent, sovereign and viable homeland of their own under the umbrella of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions. The world owes the Palestinian people a debt of honour; the people of Palestine have suffered for far too long. The Palestinian people have been expelled from their land, their homes destroyed before their very eyes; they have been humiliated and subjugated while the world watched.
Oppressed and denied their most fundamental right to life and liberty with dignity and hope have led to tragic and heart wrenching consequences. It is time to put real action in place of grandstanding and mere rhetoric.
In supporting the Palestinian and other righteous causes, Malaysia will not support violence against non-combatants, civilians, women, children, the aged and infirm. In short, those who cannot defend themselves whatever the justification. Some argue that desperation has led to unorthodox methods of warfare. To them I would urge to heed to principle of Islam that the end never justifies the means.
That is why, at the United Nations in September last year, I called for a Global Movement of the Moderates that would see government, intellectuals, religious scholars and business leaders across the world take a united stand. For it is the spirit of Wasatiyah moderation’ or balance’ that must now prevail all around the globe.
There is no doubt that the scale and speed of the events unfolding across the Arab world in recent months has at times felt almost overwhelming. But amidst the chaos and the confusion we should not lose sight of the fact that these countries and peoples now face a fateful choice the choice between extremism and intolerance that closes in to fill the void and a peaceful, democratic moderation that will grant them more freedom of expression, not less.///–Najib speaking in Oxford
Najib did not elaborate what reform in the Middle East teaches him to do in Malaysia.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
///In the words of Samuel Johnson, society cannot subsist “but by reciprocal concessions”, and that is how modern, multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural Malaysia not only subsists but develops and grows. Far from encouraging “different cultures to live separate lives, apart from each other and apart from the mainstream” Malaysia’s integration and inclusivity has always been the key formula for success.///–Najib
Instead of meritocracy, Malaysia practises quota system so that it is easier for the majority to catch up with the minority. With numerical strength, concession is only in one direction, and it is institutionalized. It is the thought of integration of Muslims through the convenience and unfair advantage the word Malays provide that the country is polarized. Inclusivity is practiced in terms of taxes collection, and much less in other aspects. That is why in government services, other than education, 90% of the positions are held by persons who formed 60% of the population.
#16 by Loh on Tuesday, 17 May 2011 - 6:37 pm
///But if my stance is idealistic, it is hard-headedly realistic. Many great Islamic scholars have been concerned with how Islam with its religious, cultural, political, ethical and economic world view can help solve some of the biggest challenges we face today. These are questions that interest me how moderation can solve the problem of extremism but also, in more unexpected ways, how it can help us through the global economic crisis.
It is no coincidence that institutions working to Islamic principles survived the worst of the economic crisis. Islamic finance puts the public good ahead of individual gain. And it is perhaps worthy to note that Islamic bank would not have been permitted to spend and lend so much more money than it actually possessed.///– Najib speaking in Oxford
The part concerning banking is interesting. But why most of the corporations which needed government bail out in 1997 in Malaysia happened to be owned by persons who had political connections. Was religious practise involved?
///The Islamic world is already showing that it can be an economic force.
Malaysia is the world leader in Islamic finance. Malaysia is also the world leader in the issuance of sukuk or Islamic bond with 60 per cent of it originating from Malaysia.
The great potential of Islamic finance is not hard to see. There are more than one and a half billion Muslims living in countries around the world. There are more than 400 Islamic banks in over 50 countries, including right here in the United Kingdom.
In this regard, I believe we should look closely at how the structures of Islamic finance can support the new global economic architecture that is emerging. Indeed, in place of excess Islamic finance offers moderation and transparency. In place of greed, Islamic finance offers fairness.///– Najib
When Malaysia is now world beater, why should the government worry about non-Malay businessmen in the country that it would not allow free and fair competition?
///Ladies and Gentlemen,
Moderation is not an alien concept to mankind. Neither is it only theoretical in nature. It is a real living principle that can be gleaned from the exemplary conduct of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) that after years of being persecuted, harassed and oppressed by the pagan Quraishites, he started his reign of Mecca later, with dignity, forgiveness and compassion.
Moderation can also be seen from the conduct of Nelson Mandela who after being incarcerated for 27 years, 18 of those spent in an eight by eight foot cell, allowed only one letter and one visitor every six months. After he was released and when asked by journalist Sir David Frost “how is it that you got through 28 years, you were wrongly incarcerated, and you’re not bitter?” Mandela answered, “David, I would like to be bitter, but there is no time to be bitter. There is work to be done”.
In his inaugural address as President in 1994, Nelson Mandela eloquently put forth the ringing clarion call:
“Let there be justice for all. Let there be peace for all. Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all. Let each know that for each body, the mind and the soul have been freed to fulfil themselves.”///–Najib
The quotes are well done. But why would not Najib follow Nelson Mandela concept of providing justice to all. Najib can start telling Perkasa to close shop.
///It is testimony to his sense of moderation and his leadership that there was no bloody retribution in South Africa for all the evils and injustices perpetrated against the black majority during the apartheid regime.
Again, moderation was manifested in the works of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of non-violent struggle, who freed a nation through his faith in the inherent goodness of man.
Moderation is also reflected in the struggle of the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. In his dream for a more equal America, he appealed to its highest ideals of using non violent means following in the footsteps of Gandhi rather than debasing his struggle by stooping to the low of his opponents.///–Najib
Suqiu made modest requests and yet UMNO government called them extremists. It is good to praise people the world praises. But Najib needs also to look in the mirror whether he believes what he said when praising moderation. Najib has a chance to win praises acting on Suqiu’s requests.
///In the case of the United Kingdom, cast your mind back, if you will, to the darker days in Northern Ireland. In the wake of the Good Friday Agreement, extremists on both sides of the sectarian divide tried to plunge the country back into violence. But the massed ranks of the moderates, from both the nationalist and loyalist communities, stood up as one and uttered with a single voice a firm, resounding “no”:
No, they did not want to be cast back into the shadow of the bullet and the bomb.
No, they were not prepared to sacrifice the new prosperity that came with peace.
No, they would not let the vicious actions of a few dictate life for the many.///–Najib
Yes Malaysians should not allow the vicious actions of the few who institutionalized racism so that they can be corrupted with impunity.
///Ladies and Gentlemen,
Edmund Burke, the philosopher, was quoted to have said, all that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.
Our choice is clear. Come together in action for a future of justice, freedom, hope, compassion and goodwill for our children or it will be replaced by a future of injustice, tyranny, hopelessness, cruelty and hate. Because the real divide is not between East and West or between the developed and developing worlds or even between Muslims and non-Muslims. It is between moderates and extremists of all religions. Together, let us embrace moderation as the best course of action and for the best way forward.
Thank you.///–Najib
For moderation to take place in Malaysia we have to dethrone Barisan Nasional. Najib chose to talk well outside because he needs not walk. Najib has not the courage to follow the principle of moderation in Malaysia, and he might not even believe in moderation when he has the upper hand.