MALAYSIA WILLING TO OFFER HELP WHERE MALAYS ARE A MINORITY

MELAKA (Malaysia), Dec 24 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is willing to offer help
towards the advancement of Malays in countries where they are a minority, said
Deputy Prime Minister Mohd Najib Tun Razak.

He said Malaysia could be a gateway for this through the Dunia Melayu Dunia
Islam (DMDI) Forum to help Malays in countries like in the Philippines,
Singapore, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Cambodia, South Africa and southern Thailand.

"Of course the Malays in these countries must be realistic. They cannot
expect us to support them in taking up arms for a revolution to establish Malay
governments in them," he said when opening the DMDI's 9th convention at a hotel
in Bandar Hilir here Tuesday.

Also present were Melaka Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam and
Youth and Sports Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

According to Najib, the DMDI (DMDI is the Malay acronym for Malay World
Musim World) could play constructive role in bringing about peace in southern
Philippines and southern Thailand.

He said Malaysia had played an active role in southern Philippines towards
ending the Moro conflict though the peace process there had encountered some
obstacles lately.

He added that the DMDI should do all it could to portray Islam as an ideal
religion which strived for the advancement of all peoples.

At the function, Mohd Ali, who is also DMDI president, presented Najib
DMDI's Mansyur Shah award which is a special recognition in honour of the Melaka
empire during the reign of Sultan Mansyur Shah.

Over 500 participants from among others Malaysia, South Africa, the
Philippines and Indonesia are participating the convention which ends
tomorrow.

-- BERNAMA