M`SIA CAN WITHSTAND THE TIDE OF ALL FORMS OF EXTREMISM & RADICALISM, SAYS PM NAJIB

From Hafizah Kamaruddin

WASHINGTON, April 14 (Bernama) -- Malaysia can withstand the tide of all
forms of extremism and radicalism with good governance, transparency, a vibrant
democracy, the empowerment of its citizen through education and economic growth
with equity, Najib Razak said Tuesday night.

"We can face the challenges of preserving our hard-won independence and
sovereignty," the prime minister said.

"We are One family. Malaysia is our home. We are 1Malaysia, where the people
are given priority and performance is emphasisd. The thrust of 1Malaysia is
People First, Performance Now," he said at the "Faces of 1Malaysia" gala dinner
at the Mandarin Oriental here, which was also attended by United States policy
makers.

Najib said Malaysia had also demonstrated that a Muslim country could be
democractic, united, progressive, tolerant and economically competitive.

Meanwhile, Information Communication and Culture Minister Dr Rais
Yatim, in his speech, said the Malaysian-American friendship had been enhanced
to a higher plane by the gathering which had "drawn us together to foster a new
level of friendship and understanding."

Rais, who is also acting foreign minister, said that if there was a
spinal similarity between the two countries, it was the spinal role that
multiracialism and multi-ethnicity played in shaping life in the past and the
future.

"This duality of diversity between the peoples of Malaysia and the United
States indeed buttresses our common values and best practices," he said.

Dr Rais said that although this is the first time Malaysia had brought
direct elements of Malaysia to the American public, "nonetheless, we feel well
disposed that Malaysian-American friendship is taking a truly positive turn."

"Needless to say, by understanding each other's culture we will further help
the cordial bilateral relations that both countries have enjoyed."

The gala dinner was the second segment of the inaugural "Faces of 1Malaysia"
cultural and handicraft festival being held in Washington in a move to provide
the American people the opportunity to appreciate the harmony of talents of
Malaysia's diverse community and its rich culture and arts.

The first segment was held over the weekend at the National Geograhic
Society Building here.

The festival was organised by the Information Communication and Culture
Ministry, its agencies, including the National Culture and Arts Department
(JKKN), Istana Budaya, Akademi Seni Budaya and Warisan Kebangsaan and Kraftangan
Malaysia, and also Tourism Malaysia, Sutra Dance Theatre and Permata Seni Muzik.
-- BERNAMA