Melaka - Malaysia is willing to offer help towards the advancement of Malays in countries where they are a minority, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak.
He said Malaysia could be a gateway for this through the Dunia Melayu Dunia Islam (DMDI) Forum to help Malays in countries like in the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Cambodia, South Africa and southern Thailand.
"Of course the Malays in these countries must be realistic. They cannot expect us to support them in taking up arms for a revolution to establish Malay governments in them," he said when opening the DMDI's 9th convention at a hotel in Bandar Hilir here today.
Also present were Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam and Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
According to Najib, the DMDI (DMDI is the Malay acronym for Malay World Musim World) could play constructive role in bringing about peace in southern Philippines and southern Thailand.
He said Malaysia had played an active role in southern Philippines towards ending the Moro conflict though the peace process there had encountered some obstacles lately.
He added that the DMDI should do all it could to portray Islam as an ideal religion which strived for the advancement of all peoples.
At the function, Mohd Ali, who is also DMDI president, presented Najib DMDI's Mansyur Shah award which is a special recognition in honour of the Melaka empire during the reign of Sultan Mansyur Shah.
Over 500 participants from among others Malaysia, South Africa, the Philippines and Indonesia are participating the convention which ends tomorrow.
Source:
http://www.bernama.com (December 23, 2008)