RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, TOLERANCE, PEACE AND FAIRNESS --BEDROCK OF THE COUNTRY

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 26 (Bernama) -- Religious freedom, tolerance, peace
and fairness -- values which Malaysians hold dear -- remain the bedrock of the
country despite the recent vandalism of churches and other places of worship,
Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak said.

He said the diversity of Malaysia's population was the true strength of the
country and, across races and religions, this was the foundation upon which the
government would advance 1Malaysia.

"It represents a great challenge but, together, it can be our greatest
achievement," he wrote in the opinion segment of The Wall Street Journal
published Tuesday.

Najib said he was convinced that the vandalism of places of worship and
arson at the Metro Tabernacle Church recently, and the powerful response from
everyday Malaysians "can be transformed into a moment from which we can learn".

"We will bring the perpetrators to justice. But this will also be a time
when we stand united as one people to unequivocally denounce violence and
reaffirm that we remain committed to the national drive we call '1Malaysia'," he
said.

Najib said that in contrast to the impressions left by some international
reporting in the hours and days after the recent vandalism of churches and other
places of worship in the country, the true spirit of the nation had shone
through.

"Across religions and races, Malaysians have spoken with a unified voice in
condemning the despicable acts of a few, and citizens have joined as one to
assert that vandalism was never an acceptable way to express diverse views or
resolve differences.

"Muslim groups volunteered to safeguard churches in their towns. Muslim
social activists have written petitions to oppose these senseless acts of
vandalism. Muslim civic groups are standing shoulder-to-shoulder with
Christians, Hindus and Buddhists to ensure that all people can freeely worship
as they wish."

On the other hand, he said, Christian and civic leaders had called for calm
and interfaith dialogue as they were fully aware that those who perpetrated
these acts did not represent the Muslim majority in Malaysia.

He said Malaysia was not the first country where a few individuals committed
criminal acts under the false pretence of supporting a particular religion and
the country would work together to resolve the issue.

Many Malaysians, he said, had been appalled by the irresponsible and
dangerous finger-pointing of a few politicians who put personal political
interest before the national interest by trying to score political points by
hammering on sensitive issues.

"(But) my government chooses a different path," he said.

In this context, the government would reach out to all parts of the
Malaysian society in the coming days to foster open dialogue and work to resolve
sensitive issues.

Najib also said that the country must resolve to maintain a fair and open
society where there was opportunity for all Malaysians to flourish.

Reforms have been undertaken, such as liberalising ownership requirements in
key sectors of the economy, encouraging foreign direct investments, creating
1Malaysia clinics to provide access to health care and extending educational
opportunities to all Malaysians.

However, these reforms had sometimes been politically difficult.

"But they are important because the long-term health of Malaysia's society
and economy can only be built on what unites us rather that what divides us. We
will not waver from the pursuit of 1Malaysia," he said of the vision he had for
a strong and fair Malaysia.
-- BERNAMA