Sunday June 17, 2007
Press freedom must not be abused, says Zam
KUALA LUMPUR: The freedom given to the press and political parties is not to be abused, said Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin.
“It is not the Prime Minister's intention to allow the freedom to be breached and for questions to be raised on the fundamental rights of Malaysians under our social contract,” he said yesterday.
“It (freedom) was also not granted to the media to raise sensitive issues relating to religion and the rights of any particular race,” he said when closing the two-day seminar on The Tun Abdul Razak Legacy to National Development at the Sime Darby Convention Centre here yesterday.
The seminar traces the contributions of the country's second prime minister, which helped to forge national unity and resolve economic disparities among the ethnic groups.
The seminar was organised by Umno Youth think tank Akademi Pemuda and the Tun Razak Foundation Alumni.
Zainuddin reminded the country's young leaders to learn, from history, how the country's forefathers had maintained national unity.
He added that today's youths should also work towards fostering better relationship among all races.
Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the young leaders of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition must embrace three core values – loyalty, honesty and sincerity – to win the people's confidence and to ensure political stability in the country.
If they believed in these principles and practised them, Malaysians of all religions and races would be united, he said.
“It is not impossible to overcome any problem if the younger leaders stand by these principles,” he told reporters at the end of the seminar.
Hishammuddin, who is Education Minister, said that when Abdul Razak was leading the country he had to deal with issues pertaining to race, relationships with neighbouring countries and the economy.
“It was due to his sincerity, honesty and loyalty that people of all races learned to have confidence in his leadership and his struggle.
“There is a great difference between being smart and being wise,” he added.
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