Watch out for religious extremists: Abdullah
Multiracial nation may be torn apart if Malaysians fall for their approach
PRIME MINISTER Abdullah Badawi has warned Malaysians to be on their guard against religious extremists tearing apart the multiracial nation which suffered deadly race riots in 1969.
'I am concerned about issues related to religion. We need to develop a spirit of tolerance. If we allow extremists to pull us apart, we will face problems,' he told a gathering at a Christmas tea party on Tuesday.
Datuk Seri Abdullah urged the majority moderate Malaysians to hang on to the 'middle position' and not to allow extremists to dominate.
'If moderates do not take centre stage, surely extremist elements will occupy it, making us fall for their extremist approach being touted as a religious or national approach,' he said.
The tea party was organised by the Christian Federation of Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur Archbishop Murphy Pakiam.
His remarks come after the Hindu Rights Action Force, or Hindraf, led thousands of ethnic Indians onto the streets of the capital last month to protest against the alleged marginalisation of their community and the destruction of temples.
Police put down the protests using tear gas and water cannon, and arrested dozens of demonstrators.
Five leaders of the group were later arrested under the tough Internal Security Act, which allows indefinite detention without trial.
Datuk Seri Abdullah said that as a multiracial country, Malaysia had come a long way to be where it was now.
'We do have a big responsibility to shoulder as we need to ensure that our country remains safe and peaceful for our own mutual benefit,' he said.
There was a need to maintain what had been achieved thus far so that the country's development, peace and stability could be inherited by future generations, he said.
The Prime Minister also noted the spirit of unity shown by people of various ethnic backgrounds who came together at the tea party to join in the Christmas celebrations.
His Christmas message, issued on Christmas Eve, made the same point.
'We must all believe that Malaysia is truly greater than the sum of its parts. We must always put the country's interest before any other narrowly defined demands.
'Over the past few months, narrow-mindedness and intolerance propounded by a small group has served to test our faith in each other.'
Meanwhile, Archbishop Pakiam said Malaysians should downplay divisive issues and instead cherish their differences as something special.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, BERNAMA
