Don’t instigate hostility between races, religions — Mat Sabu
KUALA LUMPUR: Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu yesterday reminded Malaysians not to instigate hostility against one another, especially in matters relating to religion and race to the extent of jeopardising the country’s peace and security.
He said it was easy to instigate hostility, but it would take a long time to heal the wounds.
“The country has been enjoying peace and harmony for years, particularly after the communist party gave up its armed struggle. Hence, don’t instigate animosity.
“Find solutions, have talks, dialogues, but not to the extent of physical aggression,” he said in his speech before presenting certificates to the graduands at the 52nd Armed Forces ExServicemen Affairs Corporation ( Perhebat) convocation ceremony here yesterday.
Mohamad said hostility among people would not only undermine unity, but would also cripple the economy, as evident in conflictaffected countries.
“Nobody want to invest in conf lict- ridden countries, and to restore the economy, such country needs to restore its security first,” he said.
Mohamad also pointed out that hostility would eventually involve others who had nothing to do with the fight in the first place such as the Malaysian Armed Forces ( MAF) and other security forces to restore peace.
Hence, he said, the services of MAF personnel including veterans should be appreciated and he would devote himself to the cause of safeguarding their wellbeing.
He also said that more needs to be done to improve the wellbeing of the MAF veterans as current efforts were inadequate.
“It is not the soldiers’ intention for their services to be compensated in monetary terms but we should at least remember and appreciate their struggles,” he added. — Bernama