GETTING READY TO BE PM? Muhyiddin now pitches moderation ahead of Umno meet

KUALA LUMPUR,— Those in power must practise moderation and fairness to all, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said today, warning that a mere willingness to share power among the country’s different communities will not ensure stability.

The deputy prime minister said moderation in this respect means an “unwavering” commitment to being just and reasonable when dealing with all Malaysians, regardless of their racial or religious backgrounds.

He trumpeted Barisan Nasional’s (BN) role in ensuring peace and stability in Malaysia, pointing out that the country has enjoyed more than five decades of prosperity under its rule.

“We take pride in efforts spearheaded by our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to advocate the concept of moderation through his Global Movement of Moderates, which now acclaims international recognition,” Muhyiddin (picture) said in his closing speech at the International Forum 2012 on war and conflict, held in conjunction with Umno’s 66th general assembly here.

In his address yesterday, Najib had mooted Malaysia’s moderation concept as a template to end global wars and conflicts like the unending violence in Gaza, saying the voices of moderates could drown out those of bigots and extremists.

The prime minister told the forum at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) here that “moderation” was the underpinning value used as guidance to end the 40-year conflict in southern Philippines, in which Malaysia had acted as facilitator.

With national polls around the corner, Umno’s higher-ups appear to be working tirelessly to push through their message of “moderation” to its over three million members nationwide as party delegates huddle together for their last annual meet before the country’s most crucial electoral test to date.

Their message will set the tone for the assembly and the direction that Umno, which is the backbone of BN, will take when preparing for the election which is expected within months.

Muhyiddin, who is also Umno’s deputy president, gave a reminder today that BN’s very founding struggle was based on provisions enshrined in the Federal Constitution which, he said, “not only guarantees fundamental rights and liberties of individual citizens, but also confers specific rights and privileges for ethnic communities.”

He said that while the Malays and natives of Sabah and Sarawak, as the sons of the soil or “Bumiputeras”, are given special privileges, other ethnic communities like the Chinese and the Indians are also guaranteed their legitimate rights as citizens of Malaysia.

“The Constitution serves as a guiding principle in meeting expectations of the various communities and resolve potential conflicts,” he said.

Muhyiddin said BN was guided by these provisions, adding this was how the ruling pact has managed to avoid conflicts from erupting in the past.

“But we have to be mindful that the will to co-operate and share power among leaders of different communities alone does not guarantee continued peace and stability of the political system.

“More important, those in power must uphold the fundamental principle of mutual respect, understanding and moderation in managing all issues, particularly the sensitive ones, such as race and religion,” he said.

Umno will kick off its 66th annual meet with a joint opening ceremony tonight for the party’s Youth, Wanita and Puteri wings.

--The Malaysian Insider