Mahathir warns against graft, religious extremism
Mahathir warns against graft, religious extremism
KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir
Mohamad warned yesterday against the dangers of corruption and
Moslem extremism in a speech opening the annual congress of his
ruling UMNO party.
Mahathir urged members of his United Malays National
Organization (UMNO) to eradicate widespread graft, saying it
could stifle the country's growth and destroy its economy,
eventually impoverishing the nation.
In his one-and-a-half hour speech at the annual congress, the
premier surprised some of the 2,000 participants who had expected
more talk about the country's economic crisis.
But "I think he has said whatever he wants at this meeting
about the economy. Now, he's taking on other issues," one
attendee said.
Talking on one pressing issue that has occupied his
government, Mahathir told the meeting that corruption would raise
the costs of living and doing business.
"Those involved in corrupt practices will face the
consequences because they will live in a backward and poor
country and will be humiliated by other countries." said
Mahathir, who is president of UMNO.
With corruption, "trade becomes difficult and we lose our
competitiveness due to high costs and inefficient services," he
told the 52nd general assembly of UMNO, the linchpin of the 14-
member National Front coalition government.
On Islam, Mahathir, the party president, warned that extremist
religious groups were out to "attack and slaughter other Moslems
for not accepting their teachings."
He criticized Moslem activists who focused too much on the
"symbols of religion" like proper dress.
Alluding to the recent arrest of three Moslem women for being
"indecently dressed", Mahathir said the covering of body parts
could not suppress lust in the present multiracial society.
He warned that the wrong focus and pressure had weakened the
Moslems and caused them to be divided, saying that Islam should
be implemented on a moderate basis and tolerant to other views.
"If we are involved in corruption, if we are engrossed in
prosperity and materialism, if we allow people who misuse
religion to act wildly, then our struggle for 51 years for our
religion and race would be futile," he said.
Moslems make up more than half of Malaysia's 21 million
people, ethnic Chinese one third, while Indians and other
minorities make up the rest.
Mahathir called for a new Malay culture that adjusted to the
progress and developments of the modern world.
"We cannot use horses and swords when others are using
firearms," he said. "We do not aim to build an empire. Our
ambitions are moderate, we just want to be on par with other
developed nations.
"But if UMNO is not bold enough to show a good example, the
Malays will remain backward, outdated and a subject of mockery
and ridicule," he said.
The 71-year-old premier also used his platform to reiterate
support of Asian, and Malaysian, values.
"What is the difference with us? From the physical point,
mental and spirit, we are not different from developed cultures.
What is the difference is our culture, our values and the
civilization that we have built," he said.
Mahathir has practically talked of nothing else but the
Malaysian economy and markets in recent weeks.
Malaysian shares were down to four-year lows Thursday while
its currency, the ringgit, has hit historic lows because of heavy
foreign selling.