‘RESPECT OUR STAND’
Defending Rohingya is not a religious issue, says Zahid
MALAYSIA’S stand on humanitarian issues at the international level should be respected, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said Malaysians should be thankful for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s firmness and concern on these issues.
“Datuk Seri Najib, while on his working visit to meet United States President Donald Trump, had given his commitment to champion the plight of the Rohingya, not because it is a religious issue, but a humanitarian one.
“At the United Nations General Assembly, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman had stated the same thing. Three days ago, in Manila, I also voiced out the same views, and stressed that the Rohingya were human beings like us and needed to be protected,” he said at the state-level “Ekspresi Negaraku” programme here yesterday.
Present were Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak and Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
Zahid said people should set aside their differences of opinion as humanitarian issues were universal issues.
He said Malaysians must appreciate and not take for granted the peace and stability enjoyed by the country, as they were achieved through the efforts of a strong government.
He said without a strong government, it was possible that Malaysia would suffer the same fate as Syria, Iraq and the Rohingya in Myanmar.
“We in Malaysia have never felt that we had to flee the country as there is no war.
“Our country is peaceful and harmonious.
“But, let us not take the peace for granted, and continue to work hard to maintain the peace and stability.”
He said initiatives introduced by the government were meant for future generations, adding that this was the reason Najib launched Transformasi Nasional 2050.
“I will do my best to complement the efforts of our prime minister to propel the country to a higher level.”
He said as humans, the country’s leaders also had weaknesses, but they were improving themselves, rather than being complacent.
“The opposition, on the other hand, points fingers at the government. But, do not forget that four other fingers are pointing back at them. They must accept criticism, as they themselves are in disarray.”
He said the 14th General Election was approaching, and the government would strive for every Malaysian and not just deliver sweet rhetoric.
“People want to know what the government is doing. We will do our best for the people, as we want to achieve success.”
He said people must be thankful for the government’s achievements, such as registering a strong gross domestic product growth and achieving high international cash reserves, all of which were the result of hard work.