YOUNG MALAYSIANS MUST HAVE COURAGE TO REJECT CORRUPTION, EXTREMISM, SAYS PM ANWAR

From D. Arul Rajoo

LONDON, Jan 17 (Bernama) -- The new generation and young Malaysians must have the courage to reject corruption, racism and religious extremism, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today.

In making the call, Anwar said while Malaysia is a multiracial and peaceful country, there are quarters attempting to divide the nation through racial and religious extremism.

“In our MADANI concept, we don’t compromise on issues like corruption, leaders squandering wealth… it doesn’t matter (the same) coalition or not,” he said during a question-and-answer session following his lecture at the London School of Economics (LSE) here today.

Anwar pointed out that while the Constitution guarantees the rights of the majority — Muslims, Malays and Bumiputeras, certain groups exploit race-based policies to insult and incite hatred towards other races.

“I will be tough on this. They can criticise me for my policies, but they cannot use (the) race and religious cards,” he asserted.

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Anwar, who is on a five-day working visit to the United Kingdom, said Malaysia had significant growth potential in the past but poor governance and greed had hindered progress.

“I need young people to understand this. Have the courage to say no to corruption and religious bigotry,” he said, adding that tolerance is essential in a multiracial country like Malaysia.

The lecture was attended by about 500 students and lecturers, including Malaysian students studying at LSE.

During his talk, Anwar also addressed double standards in defining human rights, rules and norms.

“When college and university students the world over stood united in protest against Israel’s violent occupation and colonial project in Palestine, some governments responded with harsh reprisals. These are not dictatorships or autocracies but supposedly the shining examples of freedom and democracy,” he said.

Responding to a question on why Malaysia has not yet ratified the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, Anwar said the Malaysian government treats refugees well despite not being a signatory.

“We have several million illegal workers and refugees in Malaysia, including about 200,000 from Myanmar. Whether refugees or illegal workers, our stance is that they must be treated humanely,” he added.

-- BERNAMA