MALACCA, 15 May 2009: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today called on the leadership of Islamic political parties to unite to strengthen the “ummah” (Muslims) and their economy.
He said disunity and quarrels among Muslims in the country would lead to its destruction.
“Logically, the unity of Muslims in the country as the majority is the basis for the nation’s development and strength,” he said after performing Friday prayers at the Al-Rahmah Mosque in Bukit Rambai, here.
Also present were Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam and Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek.
Muhyiddin said “political disturbances” were created by irresponsible people to destroy the country economically as well as in other ways.
“This may also be caused by the different political situation following the last general election whereby Muslims have become disunited and subscribe to several groups with varying political ideologies,” he said.
He also said that it was important for unity between the Muslims and non-Muslims to create a stable political situation.
“Such a situation will enable us to continue with our efforts to develop the country for us to be successful in economic development and so on,” he said.
He also said that the government was adopting serious measures to overcome the economic downturn brought on by the financial crisis in several developed countries.
Muhyiddin, who is on his first official visit to Malacca as the deputy prime minister, also cut the “pulut kuning” (yellow glutinous rice) in conjunction with his 62nd birthday today. — Bernama
Dawun Mosberian says
This is part of the 1Malaysia that the PM announced?
Still differentiating Malaysians based on faith?
The DPM should be saying things that apply to all Malaysians, not just for people of one faith.
BN never learns.
ek says
Same old tactic. Every time a disagreement, they would use religion and then use colour on the pretext to unite. People today no longer blind, no longer deaf, no longer mute. People today know and they are seeking the truth and seeking change.
mukmin says
It is curious how Umno leaders make these calls for Muslim/Malay unity when they are on the political backfoot. I could not recall any concern for Muslim unity when the Umno government went berserk over Memali and other incidents, including the incarceration of Tok Guru Nik Aziz’s son.
tangkup says
Why unite only the Muslims? This is totally against the 1Malaysia slogan by PM Najib. This statement by Muhyiddin is very partisan and racialistic! The other races – Chinese, Indians and other indigenous rakyat also contribute to the socio-economic development of the nation. Is Muhyiddin saying that these other groups of Malaysisans are not worth it? He must remember that the imported Chinese and Indian labour are the economic force to create the wealth of Malaya then. This creation of wealth made the Government formulate the NEP so that the Malays can share the wealth, which was created due to the hard labour by the imported Chinese and Indian labour. Now that the country is wealthy Muhyiddin only favours the Muslims. He is typically racialistic. No wonder he blamed the Chinese after BN lost the by-election in Bukit Selambau.
Kam says
Is Malaysia doomed? The national leader – Deputy Prime Minister seems to only acknowledge one constituent – Malay Muslim. As long as the Malay Muslim Malaysians are united – everyone else is irrelevant? Why just Unite the Malay Muslims? Why not National Unity? What ever happened to national unity?