The Christian Federation of Malaysia has noted with great appreciation Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's presidential address to the Umno 58th General Assembly where he had stressed the importance of maintaining harmony between the various communities and religions.

As prime minister, his speech was not only meant for the Umno delegates but also for the whole nation. In his speech he particularly highlighted the central place of the Federal Constitution and for it to be interpreted as a whole and in the spirit of the social contract of the founding leaders of the nation. He also called for curbing all forms of religious extremism, bigotry and overzealous enforcement of laws that curb the freedom of religion as guaranteed in the Federal Constitution.

His clarion call must engage the best efforts of all Malaysians to ensure that our country is governed with honesty, integrity, justice, equality and peace.

The Christians of Malaysia want to assure the prime minister that we are prepared to work with all other religious communities in mutual dialogue and accountability. The well-being of our country can only be achieved by practicing religious moderation and respecting the Constitution as the supreme law of the land.

The government should act decisively against those who promote religious chauvinism and extremism that can greatly harm the spirit of religious harmony existing in our country. May God grant the prime minister and his cabinet ministers good health and wise counsel as they lead the country to become a model of inter-religious harmony for other nations to emulate.

The writer is chairman, Christian Federation of Malaysia.