MALAYSIAN PM URGES NOT TO EXPLOIT RELIGIOUS ISSUES

JAKARTA, Indonesia - Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak has called on Malaysians to calm down and not to exploit religious issues now being played up in the Malaysian media.
"Calm down until we get the facts. It is not going to be of benefit to anyone. Whoever they are, whether they are the opposition or pro-government, they cannot and should not exploit this issue," he told Malaysian journalists, here after the 18th Asean Summit, Sunday.

• The Prime Minister was commenting on a news report over a gathering in Penang where its participants had allegedly vowed to change the country's official religion to Christianity. He said the government would investigate the matter and that it should not be blown out of proportions.
• "If we don't put a stop to it, it can lead to serious polarisation in our society," he said.

Najib said religion was a sensitive matter and everyone in the country must preserve the peace and avoid tension among the people.
"Malaysia upholds the constitution, which means that Islam is the official religion of Malaysia while, at the same time, the people are also free to practice other faiths.

• "This is an important principle which was the key in the formation of Malaysia which cannot be disputed.
• "If there is anyone who tries to jeopardise national peace, we will not allow it to happen because what is important is national harmony," he added.

Source: The Malay Mail