Moderate Malaysians regardless of race, religion or politics must speak up strongly and steadfastly for peace, tolerance, understanding and mutual respect and not cede any single inch of mainstream ground to advocates of hatred, intolerance and extremism

Moderate Malaysians regardless of race, religion or politics must be very concerned that of late, the voices of hatred, intolerance and extremism are rearing their ugly heads.

Moderate Malaysians, regardless of race, religion or politics, must speak up strongly and steadfastly for peace, tolerance, understanding and mutual respect and not cede any single inch of mainstream ground to the advocates of hatred, intolerance and extremism or Malaysia will be heading towards a perilous and disastrous end.

Malaysia can only succeed as a world-class nation by leveraging on the best qualities embedded in the diverse races, languages, religions, cultures and civilizations which meet in confluence in Malaysia.

There is therefore no option but for Malaysia to pursue a policy of moderation in our nation-building policies and directions which give primacy to the goals of unity, peace, tolerance, understanding, mutual respect and excellence.

We will end up as a broken and a failed state if we do not resist the siren song of extremists who preach distrust, hatred and intolerance, and want to build walls segregating the diverse races, religions and cultures in Malaysia.

Of late, the voices of hatred, intolerance and extremism seek to create distrust and antagonism among the diverse races, cultures and religions in the country, such as demands that non-Muslims should not partake in the breaking of fasts of Muslims.

Such practices, which is fully in conformity with the teaching of Islam, have been followed not only for decades in Malaysia, but for centuries all over the world. Why has it suddenly become an issue in Malaysia?

Moderate Malaysians, regardless of race, religion or politics must not cede any inch of ground to the extremists and make it clear that extremism of any form is the biggest threat and enemy of successful Malaysian nation-building.

The Merdeka Proclamation of 1957, the Malaysian Proclamation of 1963 and the Rukunegara are classic documents of moderation for building a united, harmonious, tolerant, democratic, progressive and prosperous Malaysia.

Malaysians can differ on many things as to how to make Malaysia great, just and free, but they must stand united on the principles and precepts of moderation which form the bedrock of Malaysian nation-building as spelt out in the Merdeka Constitution 1957, the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and Rukunegara 1970.

Pakatan Harapan leaders from PKR, Amanah, Pribumi Bersatu and DAP are committed to spread the moderate message of unity, peace, harmony, tolerance, understand and mutual respect among the diverse races, religions and cultures in Malaysia and this is the message that we are spreading in our visits to various parts of the country during the month of Ramadan.