More people would trust us if we do what is right, Dr M says

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad speaks to civil servants at his monthly address with personnel from the Prime Minister’s Department.

PUTRAJAYA: Dr Mahathir Mohamad says Malaysia would be recognised and trusted more in the international arena if Malaysians controlled their negative desires.

“If we as Malaysians were strong in controlling our desires, I believe our country would be known all over the world.

“Citizens who withhold from their desires – who do what is right while avoid what is wrong – the world would trust us (as a nation),” he told civil servants at his monthly address with personnel from the Prime Minister’s Department today.

He also urged civil servants to use Ramadan as an opportunity to train themselves in discipline.

“Fasting is not just about not eating. It is also about avoiding activities that are prohibited and that do not bring benefit to us.

“It trains us to be more disciplined and to control ourselves from doing anything that is not good,” he said.

He also warned that indulging in harmful desires would have negative long-term consequences despite any short-term gain.

“If we are involved in corruption, for example, even if we know that it is sinful, we will fail to control our desires when we are given bribes.

“Then we would become weak and unable to control ourselves in any situation. Weak people will not succeed, only those who are strong will succeed,” he said. - FMT