ID :
52210
Wed, 03/25/2009 - 13:51
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/52210
The shortlink copeid
DON'T TWIST HISTORICAL FACTS, SAYS NAJIB
KUALA LUMPUR, March 25 (Bernama) -- Umno deputy president Najib
Tun Razak reminded all quarters not to twist the facts of history in recounting Umno's action to amend the law with regard to the Malay rulers.
The United Malays National Organisation, or UMNO, is a right-wing party and
Malaysia's largest political party; a founding member of the Barisan Nasional
coalition, which has been Malaysia's ruling political party since independence.
"It was never done in bad faith, but rather with the noble intention of
preserving the royal institution and upholding the doctrine of the separation of
powers which is the basis of any democratic government.
"I wish to take this opportunity to remind all Malays not to do things which
we may regret later. To those who speak with a forked tongue, do not pledge
allegiance in the morning only to betray by mid-afternoon," he said in his
speech when simultaneously opening the Wanita Umno, Youth and Puteri Delegates'
Conference 2008 at the Putra World Trade Centre, here, Tuesday night.
The deputy prime minister said Umno held sacred the position of the Federal
Constitution as the supreme law of the land, while the position of the Malay
rulers was an essential part of the Constitution.
"Although in our system, the monarchy reigns but does not rule, the state
governments and the federal government rule in the name of the Malay rulers as
the head above the executive arm of government.
"Therefore, if the Malays themselves fail to show utmost respect to the
Malay rulers who have all this time served as the symbol of unity and stability,
then who else will?"
Touching on language, Najib said learning various languages would not
diminish the Malay identity but would instead make them stronger and increase
their self-confidence in facing the challenges of a globalised world.
"Therefore, our younger generation must not only master the English language
but be proficient in at least three major languages in order to truly shine in
the global arena," he suggested.
Najib said the special position of the Malay language would always be
protected no matter what happened.
However, he reminded that if the people perished what good would the
language of that people be, and that the continuity of a language largely
depended on the strength of the people to whom the language belonged.
"For example, Latin is now almost extinct but for ceremonial use in academic
institutions and traditional ceremonies. Sanskrit and the Incan and Aztec
languages have also perished with the extinction of the people who speak them.
"The more important consideration is strengthening the people or the race
that speaks the language. Indeed, who would care to learn the language of a
people who are weak, poor and lacking in knowledge?
"Only a people of great strength and high standing will raise the dignity of
their own language, their culture and their value system.
"So, the crux of the matter lies in strengthening the people or race, first
and foremost. To do this, we must first master knowledge and wisdom, much of
which is today documented in the English language," he said.
-- BERNAMA
Tun Razak reminded all quarters not to twist the facts of history in recounting Umno's action to amend the law with regard to the Malay rulers.
The United Malays National Organisation, or UMNO, is a right-wing party and
Malaysia's largest political party; a founding member of the Barisan Nasional
coalition, which has been Malaysia's ruling political party since independence.
"It was never done in bad faith, but rather with the noble intention of
preserving the royal institution and upholding the doctrine of the separation of
powers which is the basis of any democratic government.
"I wish to take this opportunity to remind all Malays not to do things which
we may regret later. To those who speak with a forked tongue, do not pledge
allegiance in the morning only to betray by mid-afternoon," he said in his
speech when simultaneously opening the Wanita Umno, Youth and Puteri Delegates'
Conference 2008 at the Putra World Trade Centre, here, Tuesday night.
The deputy prime minister said Umno held sacred the position of the Federal
Constitution as the supreme law of the land, while the position of the Malay
rulers was an essential part of the Constitution.
"Although in our system, the monarchy reigns but does not rule, the state
governments and the federal government rule in the name of the Malay rulers as
the head above the executive arm of government.
"Therefore, if the Malays themselves fail to show utmost respect to the
Malay rulers who have all this time served as the symbol of unity and stability,
then who else will?"
Touching on language, Najib said learning various languages would not
diminish the Malay identity but would instead make them stronger and increase
their self-confidence in facing the challenges of a globalised world.
"Therefore, our younger generation must not only master the English language
but be proficient in at least three major languages in order to truly shine in
the global arena," he suggested.
Najib said the special position of the Malay language would always be
protected no matter what happened.
However, he reminded that if the people perished what good would the
language of that people be, and that the continuity of a language largely
depended on the strength of the people to whom the language belonged.
"For example, Latin is now almost extinct but for ceremonial use in academic
institutions and traditional ceremonies. Sanskrit and the Incan and Aztec
languages have also perished with the extinction of the people who speak them.
"The more important consideration is strengthening the people or the race
that speaks the language. Indeed, who would care to learn the language of a
people who are weak, poor and lacking in knowledge?
"Only a people of great strength and high standing will raise the dignity of
their own language, their culture and their value system.
"So, the crux of the matter lies in strengthening the people or race, first
and foremost. To do this, we must first master knowledge and wisdom, much of
which is today documented in the English language," he said.
-- BERNAMA
