MUSLIMS must screen information on social media and avoid slanderous statements disseminated by irresponsible parties, said Prime Minister Najib Razak yesterday.

In his televised Aidilfitri address, Najib outlined five new risks and challenges that Malaysia has to face, which included peace and security by following the true teachings of Islam and avoiding defamatory information.

He also urged Muslims to stay away from extremist ideologies such as that propagated by the Islamic State (IS), whom he said had misinterpreted the concept of jihad.

Najib said Malaysia was also facing an increasingly challenging geopolitical landscape which presented new risks, such as North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, the Gulf crisis and the effects of Brexit.

However, he said, Malaysia’s economy had performed well, growing 5.6% in the first quarter of 2017 as compared with 4.5% in the same period last year despite global economic uncertainty, and the country continues to enjoy the confidence of foreign investors.

Najib said Forbes magazine had placed Malaysia as the top Asian country in terms of foreign investment and Malaysia had also been recognised by BAV Consulting and Wharton School as the best country for investors in 2017.

He also said the government is placing the people’s interest first through various programmes such as BR1M, affordable homes, people’s housing projects, and a slew of major infrastructure developments such as the MRT and the Pan Borneo Highway.

Najib concluded his address by urging all Malaysians to set aside all differences and unite in solidarity and harmony. – June 25, 2017.