Najib: Let extremists be very few on the fringe

Although there would be extremists amongst the adherents of any religion, their influence should remain only amongst the few on the fringes, while the majority live up to the true calling of their religions, said Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

He said Malaysia’s future depends on its political and social stability, and this is only possible with interfaith harmony that is based on mutual respect and understanding.

“We must ensure that extremists don’t influence us in any way. There will be extremists amongst us, whether Muslim extremists, Buddhists extremists, Hindu or Christian extremists, but let them be the very few on the fringe.

“Let us the vast majority of Malaysians commit to the true meaning of our religions, whether it is Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, or Hinduism. Our values are very much universal and common.

“As we celebrate Wesak Day, let us remind ourselves what it takes to be a good Buddhist,” he said in his Wesak Day address in Shah Alam today.

He praised Buddhism as a religion that values moderation, peace and compassion, while eschewing extremism and violence, and these values should be put into practice.

He urged all Malaysians to hold true to their religions, reject extremism and violence, choose their words wisely, and help build a kinder, gentler, and more gracious society.

“TN50 is not just about being more advanced in material terms, on basis of income, but we want TN50 in the future to reflect a society that is stronger  in terms of a call that unites us.

“We want people to be proud that Malaysia is a society that has strong and positive values. We want people to look at Malaysia and see in all of us - in every Malaysian - a kinder Malaysia, and a gracious society that we all can be proud of,” he said. - Mkini