Time for moderates to rise up against extremism, says unity minister

Tan Sri Joseph Kurup is a minister in the prime minister's department, and is responsible for national unity. However, his defence of Agriculture Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob's controversial Facebook post has come under fire. – The Malaysian Insider pic, February 5, 2015.Tan Sri Joseph Kurup has urged the nation's moderates to step up their fight against elements of extremism, just days after he defended his Cabinet colleague over a racially-tinged remark against Chinese businesses.

Kurup, a minister in charge of unity, said that the fight against extremism should be taken on by ordinary Malaysians, who make up the "silent majority", before such elements could be cultivated.

"The moderates or the silent majority should be brave enough to face and strongly oppose extremist elements before this group finds a 'safe environment' for them to develop in the country," he said today at an event in conjunction with this year's World Interfaith Harmony Week.

Extremism, Kurup said, is a form of threat to the safety and the sovereignty of the country and it is feared that these elements could change what the nation has been fighting for in the last 50 years.

"Extremism and intolerance, if not watched, can eventually cripple our vision to build a society that is fair and balanced where those of different faiths living together in harmony becomes an impossible dream," he added.

The minister's statements came just days after he defended Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob's racially-tinged call for Malays to boycott Chinese businesses, saying that it was "well-intended" and aimed at galvanising consumers to avoid premises that hike up prices indiscriminately.

"I think it is well-intended. He is asking people, for example the Malay community, to do their own enforcement by not going to premises that are still increasing the prices of their goods," he told The Malaysian Insider on Monday.

Ismail courted controversy after he wrote in a Facebook post that Malay consumers had a role in helping Putrajaya fight profiteers by using their collective power to lower the price of goods.

"The majority of consumers are Malay, Chinese are a minority. If the Malays boycott their businesses, they will surely have no choice but to reduce their prices," the agriculture and agro-based industries minister wrote on his Facebook page.

He also singled out the OldTown White Coffee chain owned by OldTown Bhd, saying DAP MP Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham owned shares in the company.

"As long as the Malays don't change, the Chinese will take the opportunity to oppress the Malays," the Bera MP said.

Kurup today highlighted examples of where the people helped their fellow countrymen, without looking at race or religion, including the recent flood disaster which saw thousands in the east coast losing their homes.

"In fact, the same thing can be seen in the MH370 and MH17 incidents where those of different faiths had shared their pain by praying together, in honour of the victims, according to their religions," he added.

Kurup was referring to Beijing-bound MH370, which went missing on March 8 with 239 crew and passengers and MH17, which was heading from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, but was shot down by militants over Ukrainian airspace in July, killing all 298 people on board.

"Be assured that 'Belief in God', which is the first principle of our Rukun Negara will ensure that we are respectful of one another and live in a society that is safe and peaceful," Kurup said.

- TMI