Extremism may lead to country’s instability — Jamil Khir

SERDANG: It is not advisable to embrace extreme socio-political and religious ideologies as such extremism may lead to division and instability in the country, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom.

He said those who have such extreme beliefs should manage it well in preserving public order and national sovereignty.

“It must be remembered that politics is a way of providing service to the people and it should never be an excuse for us to be divided and bicker all the time.

“We may have a different point of view, but we need to know when we should unite and work together,” he said in his speech in conjunction with the opening of the “Government and Civilization: Managing political and religious differences” seminar at University Putra Malaysia here yesterday.

The text of his speech was read out by Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Dr Ashraf Wajdi Dusuki.

Jamil Khir said, besides political issues, religious issues often raised controversies in any country, if not managed wisely.

He said Malaysia was also not spared when it came to religious polemics, but it was still within control.

“However we must not remain complacent and must raise our tolerance level to avoid conflict. Dialogues should be continued to promote understanding among one another,” he said. — Bernama