Sunday November 11, 2007
DPM: Don't incite racial disharmony
By JANE RITIKOS
KUALA LUMPUR: Do not incite disunity or racial disharmony because once ignited, it will be difficult to douse, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
He said unity, mutual understanding and respect among the different races was achieved through the struggles of the country's forefathers and should be defended by all.
"It is easy to destroy what we have built, but to rebuild will be difficult. When something is destroyed, no one gains," he said at the national Deepavali celebration organised by the Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry at the KL Sentral carpark on Sunday.
He was referring to the rally organised by a non-governmental organisation called Bersih which lead to the handing over of a memorandum to a palace official in Istana Negara on Saturday afternoon.
Najib said Barisan Nasional's way of reaching consensus through discussion had been the Government's recipe for success.
"The Prime Minister has said that as long as there is an understanding that all races have their sensitivities, there is no problem that cannot be resolved through discussions," he said.
Hence, Najib said Malaysians did not go to the streets to voice their dissent, as street demonstrations were not part of the Malaysian culture.
"If they (the Opposition during the Bersih rally on Saturday) can gather 10,000 people, the Government through Barisan Nasional can gather even more people.
"But what is the use if such demonstrations only lead to the possibility of ruining what we have built for the country?" he said.
News Poll
- Teacher held for oral sex on Year Two girl
- Lau sought psychiatrist’s help after death of fan’s dad
- Police shoot dead leader of ‘Berong Gang’
- Australian court sentences Malaysian who posed as taxi driver
- Prime Minister comes up with plan to end crisis in MCA
- Fresh polls in six to eight months if new mechanism used
- Eli’s ex still being sought by cops
- Settle RM57, 5As pupil told High scorer can’t collect result slip
- Ong’s political secretary resigns
- The Star goes to Sarawak
- 10 states see increase in number of dengue cases
- Teacher held for oral sex on Year Two girl
- AirAsia launches new flights to three Indian cities
- Australian court sentences Malaysian who posed as taxi driver
- Lau sought psychiatrist’s help after death of fan’s dad
- Prime Minister comes up with plan to end crisis in MCA
- Take care of yourself first
- Police shoot dead leader of ‘Berong Gang’
- Ministry sets eyes on ‘Sealegs’
- MACC accepts court decision
RSS
