Kuala Lumpur, Oct 29: Malaysian Prime Minister
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has called for the country's
multi-ethnic population to be more tolerant toward each other,
amid simmering racial and religious tensions.
Abdullah said despite Malaysia's 50 years of
independence, race and religion were still viewed as sensitive
issues, the star newspaper reported today.
"I hope the people will train themselves to become more
tolerant so that these issues will no longer be sensitive in
years to come," he said in a speech yesterday at a national
celebration, according to the newspaper.
Malaysia's population of 26 million is dominated by
60 per cent malays with 26 per cent ethnic Chinese and eight
per cent Indians.
Abdullah said the country's economic success was due to
the hard work of Malaysians, and tolerance was among them.
He also said the country's development was to help all
Malaysians, the newspaper reported.
"If there are policies which appear to favour certain
groups, these have only been decided upon after considering
all factors, including the 'balance' that has to be achieved,"
Abdullah said.
The Bumiputras or ethnic Malays as well as indigenous
ethnic groups are favoured in education and in economic
policies intended to defuse inter-ethnic tensions.
While the government promotes its record of maintaining
harmony, it has acknowledged concerns over the increasing
polarisation of the races and a lack of social unity in the
mainly-Muslim nation.
Bureau Report
