THE older generation is highly critical of newcomers due to their self-absorbed behaviour, said Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“We do not want older generation or old individuals who only point fingers as if his era was the best and the era after is not good.

“That is a close minded ‘syndrome’ that surfaces when one is self-absorbed,” he said during the opening of International Institute of Malay World and Islamic Civilisation (Istac) at International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Kuala Lumpur Campus today.

He did not say who he was referring to.

During the event, Zahid had announced an allocation of RM10 million to Istac to develop the institute’s research ability on matters relating to the Malay World and Islamic Civilisation.

“I hope through Istac, we will be able to inform the people religion is never a barrier that stops a country’s development.

“We must prepare ourselves with knowledge and not live in our minds,” he said.

Zahid requested IIUM’s president Rais Yatim retain Istac’s name while adding elements of the Malay World and Islamic Civilisation into the institution.

“You can add Malay, Bugis, Minangkabau or Javanese civilisation (into the institution) as long as you retain Istac’s name,” Zahid said. – October 26, 2017.