PM: COMPROMISE, COOPERATION HAVE ALLOWED US TO PRESERVE HARMONY
Malaysia does not use confrontation in nation-building, says prime minister
MALAYSIA has always chosen compromise and cooperation as the guiding principles of nation-building, as opposed to confrontation and pursuing narrow ethnic interests.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said this theme of unity was most relevant for racial and religious understanding in a country like Malaysia to preserve peace and harmony.
“I’m glad taekwondo has a role in knitting the strands of our multi-ethnic society.
“Let us set aside our political differences and play our part as true sportsmen in building a caring culture and society vital for the attainment of a united and harmonious Malaysia,” he said in his opening remarks at the World Taekwando Malaysia Open G1 Championship 2018.
Present were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, Taekwondo Malaysia president Tan Sri S.A. Vigneswaran, Taekwondo Malaysia deputy president Datuk Mohd Nazifuddin Mohd Najib and World Taekwondo Federation president Dr Choue Chung-won.
Najib said the symbiotic relationship between Malaysia and the World Taekwondo Federation culminated in the proposal to establish a Taekwondo Academy in Malaysia.
“The academy, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia, will greatly enhance the sporting skills and performance of a constant pool of talent, training for the Olympics.”
He said Taekwondo taught more than self-defence as it also developed inner strength through the cultivation of virtues, respect, discipline, endurance and perseverance.
“These are qualities I would like to see in present and future generations of youth in the country.”
Commending Choue for his initiative to form the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation to look into the plight of refugees worldwide, Najib said the problem faced by asylum-seekers had always been close to his heart.
“This is a commendable move and in line with our nation’s continuous commitment as we are the first country to initiate and establish a field hospital in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh (for Rohingya refugees from Myanmar).”
At the event, Najib was also honoured with an 8th dan (grade) and a black belt by the World Taekwondo Federation.
Najib, on behalf of the government, presented RM1 million to Taekwondo Malaysia for the development of the sport, while the federation presented RM60,000 to the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation.
Yesterday’s championship was attended by 2,000 people, including 600 athletes from 19 countries, such as Japan, South Korea, Thailand and Bangladesh.