Najib tells Perkasa to tone it down

KUALA LUMPUR: Being Malaysian is the common factor that holds the people together and no one has the right to call another "pendatang" (migrants), said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The Prime Minister was speaking at a peace and harmony dinner with Christian groups when he called out to representatives from Malay rights group Perkasa.

"I believe Perkasa is also here. Perkasa, where are you? I hope you can tone down a bit," he said.

Najib said he did not believe in quarrelling and called on the people to sit down and discuss any disagreements they had.

"As the PM, I will not allow racial and religious conflicts to occur and I believe there are solutions to solve problems.

"Sit down, discuss and talk over at a big makan like this. God will lead you if we give and take, love and care for each other and accept our differences," he said in his speech at the launch of the Christians for Peace and Harmony in Malaysia Movement (CPHM) Tuesday night.

The event was attended by over 300 churches, Christian organisations, multi-ethnic non-governmental organisations and other faith-based groups.

Also present was Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali.

Earlier, he said Malaysia would not be successful if its people deeply distrusted and was suspicious of each other.

Describing peace and harmony as oxygen, he said people had taken it for granted but they would die without it.

He added Malaysians of different values, cultures and religions would be able to live together in peace if everyone practised moderation.

The new Christian movement, started by a group of concerned Christian leaders, aims to promote peace, harmony and love among people of diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds.

It seeks to work with all faith-based groups to spread the message by organising activities and engaging in dialogues, discussions and consultation to resolve issues.

Its chairman Rev Wong Kim Kong said the movement was formed following an increase in stress on the social fabric of the multi-racial and multi-religious society due to more frequent negative and offensive comments.