We’re not into racial confrontation, says Najib after Kuok attacks

Bede Hong Bede Hong Updated 8 years ago · Published on 4 Mar 2018 1:15PM · 5 Comments

Prime Minister Najib Razak handing over RM1 million to Taekwondo Malaysia today. At the event, Najib praised the sport for promoting and strengthening Malaysia’s multi-ethnic society. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Kamal Ariffin, March 4, 2018.

RACIAL unity and compromise serve as the guiding principles for nation-building, said Prime Minister Najib Razak today, striking a conciliatory tone after Umno’s attacks against tycoon Robert Kuok last week.

“Malaysia is a peaceful and harmonious country. And this is because our forefathers and subsequent generations have chosen the path of compromise and cooperation as opposed to confrontation and pursuing narrow ethnic interests,” he said in Putrajaya. 

“This is the guiding principle when it comes to nation-building,” Najib said at the conclusion of the 2018 Malaysia Open taekwondo championship in Putrajaya today. 

His remarks come following a week which saw Najib and his party men attack the Hong Kong-based Kuok over his alleged funding of DAP.

The attack also triggered a strong exchange between Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz and MCA over the culture and tourism minister’s choice of words against Kuok.

MCA, led by its chief Liow Tiong Lai, demanded an apology from Nazri over his use of crude language in attacking Kuok but the minister refused to back down.

Today’s event saw 607 participants from 19 countries and is co-organised by Taekwondo Malaysia. Present were TM president Senator S.A. Vigneswaran, World Taekwondo Federation president Chungwon Choue and de facto law minister Azalina Othman Said.

A charity run, the World Taekwondo Malaysia Open G1 Championship 2018, was also held in Putrajaya to raise funds for the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation based in Switzerland. 

Najib said the theme of “unity is most relevant” for racial and religious understanding in a country like Malaysia.

“And I’m glad that taekwondo has a very positive role to play in promoting and strengthening our multi-ethnic society. 

“Let us set aside whatever differences we have and play our part as true sportsman in building a caring culture and a caring society so vital for the attainment a united and harmonious Malaysia.”

Najib today praised Choue for founding the humanitarian foundation to look into the worldwide plight of refugees. 

“This is a commendable move and is in line with our nation’s continuous commitment. For example, we are the first nation to establish a field hospital in Cox Bazaar, Bangladesh.”

Cox Bazaar, the longest natural sea beach in the world, is at the centre of a refugee crisis after an estimated 780,000 Rohingya fled neighbouring Myanmar and set up camps there. – March 4, 2018. 

Sign up or sign in here to comment.

Comments

  • Besides being kurang ajar extremists, they are also expert chameleons , changing according to the crowd they are addressing.

    Posted 8 years ago by Xuz ZG · Reply

  • Robert Kuok was not a beneficiary of NEP, and yet Najib claimed that the government gave him a key, as if to a bank deposit box. The talk among UMNO leaders against Kuok with impunity either shows that it was political motivation sanctioned at the top, or it was racial confrontation. Which is which, Najib?

    Posted 8 years ago by Meng Kow Loh · Reply

  • If not in confrontation, why raise issue on being grateful, knowing that Robert Kok has never at anytime being ungrateful to the leaders of the country as he has said? Are you trying to pull a political mileage to show that it was you n the Malays who has help the Chinese Kuok to become rich?

    Posted 8 years ago by Peace Maker · Reply

  • It is impossible for the Malaysian to take Najib seriously. It has reach point that when TV Malaysia show Najib face , the channel will be switched immediately. Not because the Rakyat are kurang ajar but he feeling of "jijik". The " trust deficient " has never been at that height on any earier PM. Najib chose to be in that position and he has to live and complete his own created journey of humilation. The only face saving and some breathing space would be to go off quietly and called it a day.

    Posted 8 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

    • He is too thick skinned or delusional to call it a day! He has sold his soul to the devil!

      Posted 8 years ago by Leong Kuy Leng · Reply