PM: No compromise with self-interest groups

The Prime Minister warns that the government will not tolerate groups that fan racial and religious sentiments in the country.

Najib Razak

KUALA LUMPUR: The government will not compromise with groups which act for their own interests without regard for the consequences their measures will have on the nation, Najib Tun Razak said today.

The prime minister said the government wanted to remind these irresponsible people that they were playing with fire in fanning racial and religious sentiments openly or subtly.

“They are gambling with the future of our children and grandchildren and, eventually, both the victors and the vanquished will be the losers,” he said in his speech at the investiture in conjunction with the birthday of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, at the Istana Negara.

Najib said that if this was what they coveted, then it would be a failed and disunited Malaysia that they would leave behind for the coming generations.

“Shouldn’t we learn from what’s happening elsewhere, such as in the Balkans in the continent of Europe? Let us also not forget to learn from the tragedy which befell our beloved country,” he said.
The prime minister reminded that one should not also fish in troubled waters.

“We have painstakingly built and nurtured our powerful relationship over decades. As such, we will not compromise on, and will reject, any attempt by specific groups to act for themselves without regard for the consequences their actions will have on the majority of Malaysians and the country,” he said.

Najib said that like it or not, before anything was undone, the government would be cautious and adopt corrective measures without hesitation.

“Certainly, such a noble effort demands moral and political courage from all quarters in the name of Malaysia,” he said.

Najib said that the government, in formulating any policy, always took into account the existing differences as an important factor of consideration.

“In fact, expecting unity to continue to blossom without any proactive role by the government and community leaders of all the races will only invite tragedy.”

Najib said a major effort of the government was to continue to drive development, avert cultural confrontation, enhance understanding and celebrate differences that exist among the people through sharing what they had.

He said the unity of the various races in the country did not occur naturally, but was shaped by the environment and historical events and episodes, and cosmopolitan Malaysia was a reality.

“The question before us now is whether we want to use it as a catalyst for better prosperity for us and our children and grandchildren or as an unending source of polarisation. It all depends on us,” he said.
- Bernama