Monday November 12, 2007
DPM: Hard to douse racial fire
Deepavali Open House 
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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.
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A novelty: Loredana Badalamenti from Italy trying to make a thosai during the Deepavali Open House at Brickfields on Sunday. Looking on are her friends (from left) Monika Dal Maso and Patricia Fusco. |
“When something is destroyed, no one gains,” he said at the national Deepavali celebration jointly-organised by the Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry and nine NGOs – including the Malaysian Hindu Sangam – at the KL Sentral carpark yesterday.
“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.
On the rally organised by non-governmental organisation called Bersih, which led to the handing over of a memorandum to a palace official in Istana Negara on Saturday afternoon, Najib said Barisan Nasional had always believed in discussing problems.
He said Malaysians should not go to the streets to voice their dissent, as street demonstrations were not part of 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 asked.
He added that unity was the backbone to everything the country wanted to achieve.
“With unity, we can bring great changes to our nation. We can show we are a model multi-racial country and how a country with a complex background can be administered well,” he said.
Najib also thanked the Hindus for coming to the celebration yesterday despite the downpour. He thanked MIC president Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu as well.
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Big turnout: A huge crowd milling about at the Deepavali Open House in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur on Sunday. |
“He told me that next year we must come to his open house. I hope he will prepare thosai and murukku, the traditional Indian food,” Najib joked.
Najib said the Festival of Lights symbolised light as the triumph of good over evil.
“But the light also symbolises our hope for peace and harmony,” he added.
Leaders who attended included MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, his deputy Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy, Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique and Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin.
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