Defence Minister Najib Tun Razak said Malaysia remains the most important bridge between the West and the Muslim world.

However, other countries would have to support Malaysia's role if it is to successfully project a moderate view of Islam and resist the trend of unilateralism in international relations.

Najib was speaking at a forum on Leadership for Southeast Asia, held in Kuala Lumpur this morning.

'Success story'

Najib said Malaysia has much to offer the world as a model of a moderate Muslim country and to assist societies which are similar in make-up, but have yet been unable to transform into workable and do-able entities.

"Malaysia's success story of race relations is exemplary of how Muslim governments should behave. Instead of being dictatorial and pushing aside the plight of other ethnic groups, and even repressing and persecuting them, we have been much more accommodating and consultative," he said.

"We have always regarded the multi-cultural nature of the country as our hallmark. The Chinese, Indian and other communities are part of our strength and are critical assets to the nation's well-being."

Role against unilateralism

However, Najib conceded that while it sets a good example, there are key limitations in the Malaysia's ability to influence other countries.

"The genesis of Islam is that the religion started in the Middle East. The attitude (among some other Islamic nations) is that they are the real custodians of the religion, so it is hard for us to influence them," he explained.

"Islam should be moderate and pragmatic, but Arabism has dominated (religious) thinking. We need to distinguish between the cultural aspects of the religion (as practised in the Middle East) and what Islam stands for."

The minister said that in addition to dispelling misconceptions over Islam, Malaysia also has a role to play in mobilising countries to resist the changing trend in international relations towards unilateralism, as exemplified by recent actions of the United States.

"We are urging more countries to speak out. Together we can lean on the US to be more constructive in their approach. We have some leverage now but we need more resources to talk to Washington. Right now, we do not have enough support," he said.

"Malaysia stands for a modern, pragmatic Muslim country. The US cannot ignore this position as the bridge between the West and the rest of the world."

Zero-sum game

Meanwhile, Najib also stressed the importance of reviving regionalism within Southeast Asia to deal with changing these trends in international relations.

"Too often we are quick to go into our cocoons when we face external problems, when by right we should consult each other. We can all recognise the need for states to project and preserve their own national interests," he said.

"However, sometimes, we must go beyond mere interests of nations to take into account regional interests."

The minister cautioned that, unless regional players are able to overcome the "zero sum game" mentality, Asean risks becoming irrelevant and marginalised.

"We must never allow Asean and Southeast Asia to be made irrelevant and be marginalised. It would be worse still if we ourselves are the cause of this decline into obscurity," he added.

"We have gained the respect of others around the world over the decades and it would be a shame, indeed, a tragedy, if we lose this momentum."