Mahathir: Unity, co-operation and working together will help build strong country

BY ANJANA Gamage

UNITY, co-operation and working together will assist to build a strong country. These qualities will also support the minority communities to live with each other in peace and harmony, said former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamed, the architect of Malaysia's economic revolution.

Mahathir was presented the Adams Peak award yesterday by the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka (MCSL) at the Colombo Plaza amidst a large and distinguished gathering.

Asia's cricket hero and former cricket captain of Pakistan Imran Khan and High Commissioner for Malaysia in Sri Lanka Nazeera Hussain were among the distinguished guests.

Dr. Mahathir said: "One per cent of Sri Lanka's Muslim population perished in the tsunami. But now this tragedy has led you to a lesson to live together and act together. All Muslims are brothers. Unfortunately most Muslims did not regard themselves as brothers. Over 4000 years ago, in the history of Islam, we had a division due to different groups who were known and claimed to be as Muslims.

They were willing to kill each other. If we are truly brothers; we must not kill each other. Islam promotes non-violence. But at present, we have broken into small groups that is so antagonistic. Specially Muslims are now oppressed.

If they are united, they will not be oppressed. If you break up to so many groups; each one will be so weak and inactive too. If you tried to attain your personal interest, one will become inefficient. So it is important for minority groups to act 'together'. If you go back to the Islamic fundamental teachings, you will realise that there is no difference.

Islam is not against other religions. We should learn to tolerate each other. If you pursue in the right path; there will be no conflict between the majority and minority. However, I note in Sri Lanka, after the experience of tsunami all have come to work together".

Dr. Mahathir admitted that all these teachings were known by every one but no one was interested to put it in a practical way.

MCSL Steering Committee President N. M. Ameen and MCSL member Irdi Sulaiman also spoke.

"I don't think that I should advise your politicians. We have a strong government in Malaysia. People have supported the government. When there is a 2/3rd majority; the government is not thrown by anyone. So it is important to have a strong government.

Then only you can work together, co-operate together as a group and administrate the country very well. If you are fighting with each other, both will lose and all will lose," Dr. Mahathir said replying to a question by an invitee.

Replying to a question on globalisation, Dr. Mahathir said: "Globalisation is not something new. It came from Europe to the far East through crossing the Red Sea by traders. But Europeans are different kind of traders.

They never tried to monopolise the trade. They have a different idea on colonisation. What is the guarantee they will give that we are not taking colonisation back?"

"We have to be very careful on globalisation. It is free movement of capital only of the rich. Globalisation should have free movements of people- why the capital?" he asked.