By Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani
PUTRAJAYA, Sept 14 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak told foreign diplomats here tonight that he was committed to promoting Malaysia as a model Islamic country with multicultural tolerance.
The prime minister stressed that Malaysia could still be a symbol of Islam and tolerance in the world because of the country’s multi-religious make-up.
His remarks tonight come amid concerns about the heightening levels of religious intolerance in past months.
Recent incidents such as the brandishing of a cow’s head by Muslims protesting against a Hindu temple and the sentencing of a Malay-Muslim woman to caning for consuming beer had sparked an outcry.
The incidents have placed the country under the spotlight over the encroachment of Islamic fundamentalism into the broader, secular Malaysian society.
“There is a special niche that we have which is to promote a better understanding of what Islam is all about and our belief that inter-faith dialogue is a very important part of promoting greater understanding,” he told foreign dignitaries at a breaking of fast function organised by the Foreign Ministry.
He added that being fair to Muslims and non-Muslims alike was not a matter of choice but was “God’s calling.”
“In the Quran, God tells us that for us to be closer to God, we have to be fair,” he said.
Najib also explained that tolerance was enshrined in the concept of 1 Malaysia, which asks Malaysians to fair and just to all.
“If all of us, all Malaysians join together, whether Muslims or non-Muslims, then this concept of togetherness as one creed, one people, one Malaysia will propel us to greater heights and prestige,” he said.
A group, claiming to be Muslim residents of Section 23 in Shah Alam, the new site of a Hindu temple, held a demonstration outside the Selangor state secretariat recently, dragging a severed cow-head, — an animal sacred in Hinduism — which they stomped on and spat at under the gaze of riot police.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein initially defended and justified the cow-head demonstration after meeting with Malay-Muslim representatives of Shah Alam’s Section 23 at his office but changed his stand after he came under heavy criticism from Pakatan Rakyat and the public.
In a second incident, Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno was caught drinking beer in Cherating, Pahang, two years ago.
The mother of two was fined RM5,000 and sentenced to six lashes of the rotan. She refused to file an appeal.
Kartika will be the first woman to be sentenced to caning under the country’s Islamic laws.

written by Jeffrey, September 14, 2009
written by mr.amused, September 14, 2009
written by sam, September 14, 2009
I think we had that" multicultural acceptance" prior to May 1969. But it has gone to the dogs since then,where every darn little things said or done would be claim by one group as a religious rights or sensitive to race and religion. If 1Malaysia is to be achieve, its not "Tolerance" that is needed, its ACCEPTANCE.
Our dear PM, is having a sandiwara of the Chinese "one play the black face character and he the white face." But question is, does he have the clout to reiin in his many "black face characters?"
written by BuzukNajis, September 14, 2009
The fact that it took more than a week to come out with charges ... Bias & Double Standards !!!!
SATU... DUA ... TIGA.... TANGKAP....
It took only 3 seconds for PDRM to arrest, man-handle & lockup overnite our peaceful candlelight vigil participants !!!!
MCMC desperate action of trying to remove video evidence recorded by Malaysiakini confirmed UMNO BN ill intentions !!!
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/112670
Never in the our history an elite UMNO warlords got jailed !!! Only those sidelined UMNO leaders convicted with jail term !!!
Did Malacca CM Ali Rustam found guilty of Money Politics by the most corrupted Party charged or jailed ?!! NEVER !!!
Did Selangor Toyo with his RM26million lavish mansion, Middle East investments & family Disney tours being investigated or charged ?!! NEVER !!!
Did it make any sense that 2 special branch police intended to blowup a Mongolia for no particular reasons ?!! NO !!!
Did AG appeal against the aqquitance of Abdul Razak Bagainda of Altantuya murder ?!! NEVER !!!
Did the court made fair jugdement in Perak Constitutional Crisis ?!! NO !!!
Government machinery are all serving as a tool for UMNO BN !!!
From executive to judiciary's CJ Zaki Azmi, AG, Police IGP, MACC, EC, MCMC and even exploiting the Monarchy, UMNO held it all from top to bottom & inside out!!!
UMNO shall put enough hurdle to stop any warlord from going to jail !!!!
those guilty shall be acquitted by the court... if not
those guilty shall win their appeal at a higher court...if not
those guilty shall only be fine but not jailed...if not
those guilty shall get royal pardon as a last resort....
written by The Tiger, September 14, 2009
written by sathya, September 14, 2009
If we can accept the difference, adjust to it, then accomodating that difference will not be an issue of tolerance.
Tolerance denotes a bad partnership in a marriage which will eventually break down as the tolerance level will become nought! Tolerance also indicates a certain tone of hopelessness amongst the people.
Can we be a nation that works towards a forward thinking society. We will then be the model nation that evryone will aspire. We can be the melting pot of in the new era.
written by pat ling, September 15, 2009
written by Hang Tuah 1, September 15, 2009
“In the Quran, God tells us that for us to be closer to God, we have to be fair,” he said.
Najib also explained that tolerance was enshrined in the concept of 1 Malaysia, which asks Malaysians to fair and just to all.
“If all of us, all Malaysians join together, whether Muslims or non-Muslims, then this concept of togetherness as one creed, one people, one Malaysia will propel us to greater heights and prestige,” he said.
---
Datuk Seri Najib Razak told foreign diplomats here tonight that he was committed to promoting Malaysia as a model Islamic country with multicultural tolerance.
With due respect,
you can bluff foreign diplomat -
but you cannot bluff Malaysians.
Please define what is fair, according to Koran...
The cow-head incident has brought so much shame to Islam and Muslims
Perhaps you can tell us what you think of Hisham who said that these Muslim protestors
had the right to express their feelings and anger towards Hindus and the 150 years old temple.
Why don't you deal with your cousin immediately -
BTW he flip and flop - is that symbol of tolerance.
If flip flop is the symbol of tolerance are you doing the same - you flip with foreign diplomats and you flop with Malaysians??!!??
What is fair?
Not the same as meritocrisy, i suppose.
Not the same as level playing field.
Not the same rules for everyone.
One for Umno and other for Opposition.
One for Muslims and other for non-Muslims.
One for Malays and other for non-Malays.
The first proof of fair -
condemned cow-head protestors.
If they are Umno members, sack them now.
If they support them, sack them too.
Now deal with Hisham.
written by Tuanku Minangkabau, September 15, 2009
Unquoted : Mr & Mrs Foreign diplomats are not damn stupid fools can be easily blinded and will never trust such words about fairness in 1Malaysia slogan when many recent negative news were biased and unfair to all Malaysians. For good example: No immediate action by few policemen when 50 bloody cow head protestors against the relocation of Hindu temple, Strong prompt actions by hundreds of policemen with tear gas and water canon when thousands of peaceful anti ISA supporters took the streets against dragonian ISA rules.
Najib said: In the Quran, God tells us that for us to be closer to God, we have to be fair.
Looks who is talking SAINT ?
TOK GURU NIK AZIZ noble words :- Believe it or Not ?
InsyALLAH, wahai little Najib, sudahlah cakap kosong ini ! Dont talk rubbish about fairness to all Malaysians when BN unethical power grab in Perak was unfair to all Perakian voters and the wang ehsan Petronas due to all Kelantanese still held by BN goons for many years.
GOD said : "Sembahyang lah anda sebelum anda disembahkan" .
written by Jack Ling, September 15, 2009
written by Jason, September 15, 2009
written by yawn yawn, September 15, 2009
Najib is like a tired old record playing the same old tune...like the former defence minister of Iraq at the time of the second gulf war who kept claiming that the Iraqi defence forces are defeating and pushing the coalition forces out of Iraq when they are already at his doorsteps! One of the biggest joke at the time.
Guess Najib is fast becoming one too and shall go down in M'sian history as one! Is Najib that silly to think that the people can't see through his ploys? Guess one must be that dumb to be that arrogant.
A Wolf trying to wear sheep's clothing in his case!
written by din haron, September 15, 2009
written by K.S. Lee, September 15, 2009
written by greateagle, September 15, 2009
written by change28, September 15, 2009
Dear PM,
Right is right even if no one else is doing it and Wrong is wrong even if everyone else is doing it!
written by change28, September 15, 2009
Dear PM,
Right is right even if no one else is doing it and Wrong is wrong even if everyone else is doing it!
written by Paul Warren, September 15, 2009
And now you want to make Malaysia the symbol of tolerance!! ah!
written by Krishna, September 15, 2009
written by Kalai45, September 15, 2009
written by sktan, September 15, 2009
written by j.brown, September 15, 2009
najib needs to be more forceful in his action and views on racial and religious intolerance. He needs to pull his cabinet in. His unwillingness to do so shows he is either weak politically ot this is just politic double talk.
Either way, unless somthing substantial happens, nobody will believe him.
written by Dragon Sword, September 15, 2009
written by M.Miaw, September 15, 2009
written by One Malaysia?, September 15, 2009
written by Kane, September 15, 2009
written by B.U.N., September 15, 2009
Najib, we have seen it all. Your Minister of Home Affairs also defended the cow-head mobsters. Action was taken against them only after a public outcry over the injustive that was administered under your administration. In spite of that, only 6 of the cow-head mobsters are being charged. In contrast, the police had no hesitation in arrested 15 of the Hindraf protestors on the spot.
We have also seen how the anti-corruption agency under your administration tolerated Toeh Beng Hock - they tolerated him to the extend that he was killed while in their custody. In sharp contrast, that agency is showing how much they are tolerating Khir Toyo who has been implicated with corruption with Hishamuddin Bin Hashim, a Deputy Director of the agency. There is an obvious conflict of interest here.
One more thing, Najib. Before the court under your administration canes Kartika, do make sure that justice is done too. Cane Mirzan Mahathir for his involvement in San Miguel which is a major producer of alcoholic beverages. I think the latter deserves to be punished more severely because he is involved in the production and sale of alcohol. On the other hand, if your administration can show tolerance towards Mirzan, it should extend the same to Kartika.
written by change28, September 15, 2009
Dear PM,
Right is right even if no one else is doing it and Wrong is wrong even if everyone else is doing it!
written by James Loh (Original Version), September 15, 2009
written by walid jumblatt, September 15, 2009
written by Elderstatesman, September 15, 2009
written by FireGod, September 15, 2009
2) Temple 'cow head' fiasco
3) 'Arrested for her own safety' incident
4) 'Pendatang' remark
5) 'Chinese is to blame for poor economic standing of Malays' claim
6) Temple demolition despite given directive not to
7) Thug-style takeover of Perak Parliament
8) etc
9) etc
10) etc
11) etc
12) etc
13) etc
14) etc
15) etc
Nuff said...
written by Kiwi in Malaysia, September 15, 2009
Race-based political parties and race-based policies do very little in the way of increasing the 'tolerance' in a society...
I would just love to see him up against some journalists from overseas...
written by rocky, September 15, 2009
written by strupper2003, September 15, 2009
Najib, do you think the foreign dignitaries are as gullible as Umno/BN supporters?
They might nod at what you say but really, they are thinking "What a hypocrite!"
written by macam macam pun ada, September 15, 2009
written by macam macam pun ada, September 15, 2009
written by vik, September 16, 2009
muhahaha . joke
written by tengku_a, September 17, 2009
Can't we see what's happening in other countries where minorities are being oppressed?
Do we still remember how Europeans treated non-White people in their countries or colonies?
written by mykantree, September 21, 2009
So could we say that the Malaysian PM is in fact insulting the faith of all non-muslim when he stressed "that Malaysia could still be a symbol of Islam and tolerance in the world because of the country’s multi-religious make-up."?




