As citizens of this country who have contributed to and benefited from the wealth and progress of this nation. We owe all Malaysians, the Agong and nation our patriotic support for a moderate and progressive Malaysia.
We place on record our support to the many thousands, if not millions, who have crystallised their concerns and stand in defending Malaysia and expressed their undivided loyalty to defend our nation’s progressive future.
We 58 Johannians (most born in the year 1958) from the class of 75, are privileged to have obtained an education that not only set us off on a path of nation building through our individual endeavors but also with the values that resonate everything ‘Malaysian’ and continues to be the very cornerstone of our successes.
The extremist pendulum swings of late is not the ‘way forward’ for Malaysia. Even by the nine challenges as enshrined in our country’s focused Vision 2020 goals, we believe that any form of extremist viewpoints and as championed by those bent on racism and religious bigotry should be condemned.
The decades ahead of us is and will be far more competitive, challenging and equally exciting with ‘endless possibilities’ as was well expressed by YAB Najib Abdul Razak recently. As the world crowds on the global expressway of commerce and information technology, we believe that any form of extremist practices and approaches will make our blessed nation face great disadvantages along the political, economic, financial and social parameters.
The peace, harmony, progress and determination of moderate thinking and action has placed Malaysia on a lead advantage platform in the region. Today, Malaysia enjoys tourism, trade, commerce and bilateral relations on a very progressive scale because people around the world recognise our able policies and leadership.
As patriotic citizens we will not allow any form of destructive extremism, divisiveness and racial or religious turmoil be planted in our country. In this context, too, we plead with our leadership, rulers and law abiding citizens to stand up against extremism.
We also applaud the initiative of YAB the prime minister to launch the Global Movement of Moderates (GMM) in the year 2012 and we hope to make this a reality not only in Malaysia but globally as well.
We must and will make Malaysia a land of endless possibilities for all of citizens. Our citizens, rulers and nation will and must continue to be safeguarded and built on trust, harmony, acceptance and peace.
In a nutshell, the way forward is one of moderation, a moderate Malaysia for all Malaysians.
We also urge all leaders from all sides of the political fences and civil society leaders and NGOs to put a priority and join hands in this quest to keep Malaysia a moderate nation of moderates.
Let our federal constitution be the sacred covenant that will continue to cement our bond as citizens of a one-nation and continue to grow a nation of one-people.
Let our rich traditions and cosmopolitan culture, tested, proven and vibrant since our independence be the motivation to continue to uphold moderation.
Let our multi-religious heritage be the beacon of hope in our battle to keep moderation the champion given the challenging times ahead. The fact that our rich heritage has also proven to be the success-factor throughout our history of nationhood, we Johannians stand by it.
And as the ancient wisdom prevails throughout the democratic, progressive nations worldwide, we, too, stand up for moderation - Moderate Malaysia is for Moderate Malaysians and the world to enjoy.
We the 58 names mentioned below pledge to always walk on the path of moderation and to build a vibrant, modern and understanding Malaysia which will be a role model to the world.
List of names of those who signed this letter
1. Marx Aideit Samani
2. Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli
3. Pardip Kumar Kukreja
4. Ahmad Ridzuan Bin Salleh
5. Steven Tan Leong How
6. Minder Singh Gill
7. Zainal Bin Ismail
8. James Edison
9. Shaharuddin Badrun
10. AR Natarajan
11. Sathyaseelan Arasaratnam
12. Dr Abd Hapiz Abdullah
13. Mahmood Bokhari Mohamad Noor
14. Bruhanutheen Ahmed Mustafa
15. Ahmad Nafiz Abdul Rahman
16. Mohd Ikbal Ismail
17. Koh Beng Teck
18. Kenny Tan Che Leh
19. Megat Abdullah Megat Mahmud
20. Rosli Mohamed Hussain
21. Mohd Aidnil Abdul Razak
22. Capt Nazli Shah Mohammad Sany
23. Mohamed Sirad Mohamed Marzuki
24. Johari Reduan
25. Augustes Gerald
26. Richard Thor Kong Hock
27. Ahmad Zaidi Omar
28. Mazilan Abdul Jalal
29. Zamani Hussein
30. Abdul Halim Abdul Samad
31. Harun Abdul Hassan
32. James Edward Buxton
33. Ivan Christopher Dev
34. Tony Mariadass
35. Kesvaran Murugasu
36. Wong Peng Kuan
37. Azlan Abdullah
38. S Santhirasegar.
39. Kamaruzaman Nahrawi
40. Zaidon Omar Baki
41. Ahmad Tarmizi Sharif
42. Yap Soon Joo
43. Azlan Mohd Kham
44. Chin Kin Onn
45. Abdullah Abdul Aziz
46. Ang Chong Kwei
47. Chian Howe Tan
48. Terence Saw Cheng Hoe
49. Liew Thim Mun
50. Laurence Yee Lye Eu
51. Yoon Wai Cheong
52. John D Chacko
53. Abdul Halim Abdul Wahab
54. Leong Kwok Hung
55. Lim Hee Hong
56. Francis De Silva
57. Shrithra Nair
58. Ahmad Abu Bakar
