Sabah can teach Malaysia and the world on the importance of spreading the values of tolerance, understanding and mutual respect with zero tolerance for extremism and fanaticism of any form

The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak said this morning that Malaysia has to also win the ideological warfare to address the threat of terrorism instead of only with the use of military and police assets and through arrests.

He said at the monthly assembly of the Prime Minister's Department at Dataran Perdana Putra in Putrajaya this morning that the recent terrorist attacks in Kabul, Manchester (United Kingdom), Marawi (the Philippines), Jakarta and London were serious and most saddening, and it was important to win the ideological warfare against the threat of terrorism, but more than that it was vital ‘to understand what Islam really is, what it demands of us’.

I fully agree with the Prime Minister, and this is why Najib should reconsider the thrust of his Global Movement of Moderates (GMM) initiative, for it serves no purpose to preach the Wasatiyyah principles of moderation, justice, fairplay, balance and excellence to the world to all nations and religions in the world, if in Malaysia, the Wasatiyyah principles of moderation, justice, fair play, balance and excellence are suffering face greater challenge in the country, with extremism in various forms rearing their ugly heads.

My visit to Sabah in the past two days have been most enriching, as Sabah has scores of ethnic groups, diverse races and cultures in the country – all co-existing with harmony, understanding, goodwill and solidarity.

Sabah can teach Malaysia and the world on the importance of spreading the values of tolerance, understanding, harmony and mutual respect, as these are the ingredients for forging inter-religious, inter-cultural and unity among diverse peoples, cultures and religions.

There is one important lesson from the recent bombings and killings in London, Manchester, Marawi and Jakarta – the need for zero tolerance for extremism and fanaticism of any form.

Extremism and fanaticism will grow and spread unless the mind-set of zero tolerance for extremism and fanaticism could be articulated.

The people of Sabah, well known for tolerance, understanding, harmony and solidarity among diverse ethnic groups, cultures and religions should extend this lesson to all Malaysians and even the world, for there can be no peace, harmony, goodwill or solidarity if extremism and fanaticism are allowed to grow and flourish.

This is why Sabah can teach Malaysia and the world on the importance of spreading the values of tolerance, understanding and mutual respect with zero tolerance for extremism and fanaticism of any form.