MODERATION, EQUALITY SHAPED M'SIAN SOCIETY, SAYS PM NAJIB

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 18 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said
Friday the principle of moderation or equality adopted by leaders since
independence in administrating the nation has maintained stability and
inter-racial unity.

The prime minister said it was this policy of balanced development of the nation
which had provided for the consideration of all racial interests with equality.

"It is this policy which has kept us on the path of moderation, a policy founded
on justice and equality.

"Moderation and equality are the main contributors to the shaping of the
political culture and values of our society," he said in his keynote address at
the seminar on Living Together in a Multiracial Society organised by the
1Malaysia Foundation, here.

However, he said, "we must also be bold enough to admit that there are times
when we step out of this principle of equality".

"Although our policies are correct and have the right objectives, we must have
the boldness to institute improvements to meet the needs of the times and
changes in society," he said.

He said this was necessary despite the approach being different from that
adopted by certain individuals and groups that had decided to go with narrow
views and self-interest with regard to their rights and interests.

"When an individual is not sensitive to the needs and aspirations of others, the
gap which separates the communities will eventually become wider.

"Despite the efforts at unifying the people, eliminating racial polarisation and
so on by the government, the erosion in inter-racial interaction continues and
has become a main issue which we have to overcome together," he said.

When speaking to reporters later, Najib was asked about the stand adopted by the
ruling government Barisan Nasional (BN) and United Malays National Organisation
(Umno) secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and many other BN leaders to
distance themselves from the Malay rights group, Perkasa.

The prime minister said that as far as Umno was concerned, Perkasa was a
non-governmental organisation (NGO) like any other.

"We have so many NGOs. There is a time when we can agree and there is a time
when we can't.

"But, what is important is that Umno is part of the government. What Umno says
is what matters," he said.
-- BERNAMA