Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak told the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) the moderation approach could make a valuable contribution to fragile states and international affairs including addressing extremism.

“The fight against extremism was not about Christians versus Muslims, or Muslims versus Jews, but moderates versus extremists of all religions,” he said.

Therefore, the international community needed to rally a coalition of moderates; those willing to reclaim their religion, and pursue the path to peace, he said,

During a general debate of the 69th UNGA at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Friday (Saturday in Malaysia), he reiterated his urging to the leading figures in all the great religious traditions to join together to ensure that religion was the source of healing and blessing, rather than conflict and destruction.

“By demonstrating moderation in the political process, we can ensure no one is left outside society. By practicing moderation in religion, we can marginalise the extremists.

“And by committing to moderation here at the United Nations, we can show that the world is willing to fight extremism not just with short-term military operations, but with long-term plans,” Najib said.

Training his sights on the extremists, he said the security response by the international community, and a commitment to more inclusive politics by affected countries, would remove conditions that allow extremism to take hold.

However, he cautioned that to defeat the extremists, the international community must also undermine their authority and erode their appeal.

“We must confront their propaganda. We must defeat the message that seduces the young into acts of violence. And we must address any legitimate grievances that drive people to extremism, be they political or economic,” he said.

In short, he said, the international community must win the hearts and minds of those who would serve the so-called caliph.

“The fight against the extremists must be won not just in Syria and Iraq, but in Britain, Belgium, the US - and Malaysia. We have managed to prevent extremism from gaining a foothold in our country.

“Yet even a few Malaysians have been lured by foreign terrorist fighters that led them to Iraq and Syria,” Najib said.

Bid for a Security Council non-permanent seat

On a different note, he said in the coming weeks, Malaysia would work with all interested partners to move the moderation agenda forward at the UN following Malaysia’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council for the coming term.

Malaysia is bidding for the 2015-2016 term after serving the non-permanent member chair three times with the first in 1965 (shared the 1964-1965 term with Czecloslovakia serving in 1964 and Malaysia in 1965), 1989-1990 and 1999-2000 terms.

The theme for Malaysia’s candidature is ‘Peace and Security through Moderation’ and 189 UN member countries will vote on Oct 16. Malaysia need at least two-third votes to secure the seat. The result can be expected to be known by Oct 17 in Malaysia.

Najib first urged for a global movement of the moderates when he addressed the UNGA four years ago.

Touching on the Palestinian issue at today’s assembly, he said Malaysia strongly condemned Israel’s disproportionate and indiscriminate attacks on Gaza, and its continuing violations of international and human rights law.

The use of heavy weapons in civilian areas - the obliteration of houses, mosques and schools - was an affront to common decency.

“We condemn it not just for the innocent lives taken but for the message it sends: that religions cannot coexist, and that the international community cannot enforce international law and protect the rights of Palestinians,” he said.

Malaysia, he said, like so many countries around the world, was appalled by the brutal violence against Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

- Bernama