Published September 21, 2009

PM urges repair of relations among M'sians

	Email this article
	Print article
	Feedback

(KUALA LUMPUR) Prime Minister Najib Razak has called on Malaysians to rid the multicultural nation of racial tensions, six months into an administration that has seen several episodes of ethnic unrest.

Seeking a better future: Mr Najib (right) greeting people at his official residence in Putrajaya yesterday

In his first message as prime minister to mark the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, Mr Najib urged the country late on Saturday to put aside differences in the pursuit of a better future.

'Let's break down the walls of prejudice, hatred and apathy for the sake of our children's future,' he was quoted as saying by state news agency Bernama. 'Let us make use of occasions like this to restore and strengthen relations among us Muslims and among us Malaysians,' he added.

Mr Najib's comments come after 12 Malays were charged earlier this month with sedition and illegal assembly over an explosive protest against the relocation of a Hindu temple.

In April, the government said it would ban parents from secretly converting children after a furore erupted over the case of an ethnic Indian woman who faced losing custody of her three children after her estranged husband converted them to Islam without her consent.

Conversion rows, including 'body-snatching' cases in which Islamic authorities have battled with relatives over the remains of people whose religion is disputed, are common in Muslim-majority Malaysia.

The tussles have led to allegations that the country is being 'Islamised'. -- AFP