LONDON: Dissent cannot be allowed to harm the peace and stability of the country, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He said those who disagreed with the Government would be given space to express their views but it must be done without going to the streets or creating trouble.

Najib chatting with community leaders at a function Saturday.

“If you are still unhappy with the Government, let's square it out in the elections and let the people decide.

“It is my sacred duty as a leader to protect the lives of the people and property.

“I don't want to be the Prime Minister for one moment if I do not have the support of the people,” he said when addressing the Malaysian community at a dinner at the Inter-Continental Hotel in London on Friday.

Among the 350 people who attended the dinner were Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, Home Minister Datuk Hishamuddin Hussien Onn, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed.

Najib said he only wanted to be a premier with his colleagues if the people supported them.

“As I speak, there are rallies daily by the opposition all over the country and they have the space to express themselves.

“It is unfair to say that we do not have democracy in Malaysia. If there is no democracy, they would not have won five states in the last election,” he said, adding that the Government had been tolerant.

Najib said there was equality and clean elections in the country and biometric system would be introduced to ensure fairness.

“Those who are unhappy can raise their issues in the Parliament, to the King and the Election Commission but not via street demonstration which is not Malaysian culture,” he said when referring to the recent Bersih 2.0 gathering in Kuala Lumpur.

He said those who were arrested at the street demonstration were served food, allowed to pray, were not mishandled by the police and were released after a few hours.

“Please understand that we worked so hard to build and transform the nation and we cannot allow any trouble to take place as it would destroy unity.

“I urge Malaysians to join ranks and work towards building the nation to reach a developed status so that we all can be proud off,” he said.

He urged Malaysians living abroad to support the government transformation programmes and act as ambassadors of the country because every individual reflected the image of the country.

On his four-day official visit to the United Kingdom that ended on Friday, he said the decade long “neglected ties” between the two countries had been given a new lease of life.

He said the triumph of his visit not only strengthened the bilateral relationship but it had also fulfilled his childhood dream of being photographed in front of No 10 Downing Street representing Malaysia.

He described his audience and tea with Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace as special because it recognised and further enhanced the historical bond between the two countries.

“I consider this not a personal honour but a recognition that reflects the importance of Malaysia to the UK.

“I have been to the UK on other official engagements and private visits before but this trip is significant because I'm here on the invitation of the British Prime Minister David Cameron.

“It has always been my hope that the relationship between Malaysia and UK be resuscitated because it has been some years now that the bilateral relationship had been neglected,” Najib said, adding that there had been no high profile visits made by leaders from either side.

He said previous Prime Ministers, Tony Blair and his successor Gordon Brown, did not make any official visit to Malaysia during their tenure but now the new coalition government under Cameron saw the relationship differently.

Najib said he was satisfied with his meetings with Cameron and other senior ministers who had indicated that they wanted a strong engagement with Malaysia.

He said the British Prime Minister was also receptive to his Global Movement of Moderates initiative in a bid to counter extremism.

“I am pleased with the visit because they like the Malaysian success story and transformation and the reception I received displayed the high sense of confidence they have in us,” he said.

Najib said British companies had shown keen interest in participating in projects under the Economic Transformation Programme and both countries were expected to enjoy transfer of technology and skill.

He said the signing of six Memorandum of Understanding related to in education, security and transport would provide wider trade opportunities and links for Malaysian and British companies.

Najib will leave for Rome on Sunday on a private visit to meet Pope Benedict XVI, the head of the Roman Catholic Church.

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