‘Mind your actions’

> Najib calls on Muslims to abstain from bad habits, malicious speech during Ramadan

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak yesterday called on Muslims to stop their bad habits and be careful with what they say, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.

“We should all be careful with our words, avoid making accusations or spreading lies because these actions are detrimental and can lead to destruction,” he said in his blog www.najibrazak.com yesterday.

Najib said he believed that being careful with what is spoken is not something new to Muslims and Malaysians, Bernama reported.

“Even from school days, we were taught that words, once uttered, cannot be taken back and could have detrimental effects. In English, there is the saying: ‘If you have nothing good to say, say nothing’, often used as a reminder or guide,” he said.

Najib said besides enduring hunger and thirst, Muslims were also encouraged to embrace the spirit of Ramadan which is full of blessings and forgiveness from Allah.

“The blessings are multiple and Allah has promised that all sins will be forgiven for those who fast with full faith and sincerity,” he added.

At a later event, Najib said he was elated over Malaysia’s robust economic performance in the first quarter of this year.

Speaking at the National Export Council meeting, he said Malaysia’s gross domestic product grew at 5.6% with higher private consumption and investment as the main driver of growth supported by better performance in the external sector.

“Malaysia continued to register a trade surplus of RM18.9 billion.”

Najib added that both export and import grew at 21.4% and 27.7% to RM224.7 billion and RM205.8 billion respectively in the first quarter of the year.

Also present were International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek and Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong.

Najib also congratulated Second International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan, who was appointed a member of the National Export Council.

... Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak greeting China’s Public Security Minister Guo Shengkun during the latter’s courtesy visit to the prime minister in Putrajaya yesterday.