‘WASATIYYAH’ TO BE PART OF CURRICULUM’

Moderation a value that should be inculcated from young, says PM

ARFA YUNUS

AND ESTHER LANDAU KUALA LUMPUR news@nst.com.my

THE government plans to incorporate wasatiyyah or “principle of moderation” in school co-curriculum in an effort to maintain peace and harmony in the country.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said Putrajaya planned to consult leaders of major religions in the country to inculcate the principle of moderation among the younger generation, from an early age.

“If we study all religions, they have universal practices that can be applied to all.

“Despite our different faiths, we must stress on the value of (moderation and) togetherness — whether it is Christianity or Buddhism — as these are good practices.

“Other leaders must be united. We are planning to (create moderation).

“We are planning to include this in our school co-curriculum,” Najib said during a question-and-answer session at the Dewan Rakyat on Monday.

He was responding to a supplementary question by Datuk Othman Abdul (BN-Pendang) on whether the government had plans to incorporate the wasatiyyah concept into the education curricula and to gather religious scholars to discuss the concept.

Earlier, Datuk Raime Unggi (BN-Tenom) asked on measures taken to maintain peace and harmony in the country for the government to plan programmes to improve the standard of living.

Najib said achieving moderation could be a challenge, as whipping up anger and hatred in someone was easier than to instil tolerance.

He urged leaders from across the political divide to stand united and share the same platform on the struggle to achieve moderation as a way of life.

Najib also said the government had lined up a five-year strategic plan for the wasatiyyah principle from 2016 to 2020, following the cabinet’s approval of the National Wasatiyyah Policy (DWN) on Oct 21 last year.

The five main objectives of DWN are:

BOLSTERING Malaysians’ understanding of the wassatiyah approach as the bedrock in life;

RESOLVING societal problems stemming from extremism, radicalism and integrity issues;

STRENGTHENING the appreciation of wasatiyyah to promote a high spirit of mutual tolerance among Malaysians;

TO develop a harmonious Malaysian identity in appreciating excellent values and ethics in all aspects of life; and,

INCULCATING moderation as a way of life in all aspects, including education, economy, administration, social and politics.

Najib said the Wasatiyyah Institute of Malaysia under the Prime Minister’s Department, had been appointed as the coordinating agency in implementing the approach as a onestop centre on all matters related to moderation.

“Therefore, the wasatiyyah concept, which is based on moderation, stability, excellence and fairness, is an important practice so that Malaysians will not be trapped by the threats of terrorism, extremism and Islamophobia.

“The concept to be practised universally has now become more relevant.”