Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is in Peru for the APEC Summit and we are joining BRICS.
Malaysia must aim to be model state to the world in “Unity in Diversity” by promoting global inter-civilisational dialogue, understanding, tolerance and harmony in the world.
One the greatest questions for the present humanity is whether the United States and China will go to war, for it holds the danger of the end of humanity with the nuclear capacity which each possesses.
Malaysia has excellent credentials to play such a model role for global civilizational dialogue, understanding, tolerance and harmony for Malaysia is home to several civilizations – namely Islam, Confucianism,. Taoism, Buddhism, Christianity. Hinduism, and Sikkhism.
There is a theory of the clash of civilisations, but there is nothing inevitable in such a civilizational clash and Malaysia should play its role to promote global civilizational dialogue, understanding, tolerance and harmony and save humanity.
The Rukun Negara commits Malaysia to five objectives as stated in its Preamble, namely to:
· Achieving a more perfect unity amongst the whole of the society;
· Preserving a democratic way of life;
· Creating a just society where the prosperity of the country can be enjoyed together in a fair and equitable manner;
· Guaranteeing a liberal approach towards her rich and varied cultural traditions; and
· Building a progressive society that will make use of science and modern technology.
These can form the basis of an international civilisational dialogue, understanding, tolerance and harmony movement, with Malaysia playing a meaningful role.
Malaysia should use its membership in ASEAN, APEC, BRICS and even the United Nations to promote this global civilisational objective and Malaysians should be among the leading countries in the world with global mindsets.
(Speech by DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang at the 6th Anniversary Gala Dinner of Puchong Chinese Chamber of Commerce on Saturday 16th November 2024 at 8 pm)