Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said today the "Wasatiyyah" (moderation) approach is suitable for the country's plural society in maintaining the existing peace and harmony.

He said the prevailing peace and harmony was achieved through the moderation practised by Malaysians who do not subscribe to extremism and violation of the law.

"The Wasatiyyah approach can educate us to think and act wisely and effectively. It is not extreme, rigid or too liberal and it is not too fanatic and obsessed with the views of any individual or group without taking into account facts and knowledge," he said when opening the National Seminar on Understanding Wasatiyyah and 1Malaysia.

 

The importance of the Wasatiyyah approach was emphasised by Prime Minister Najib Razak when he spoke at the East West Centre in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Nov 14 while attending the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

Najib had stated that the success of the Malaysian model was founded on the experience of moderation among the people of various races, languages and religions.

Muhyiddin, who is Umno deputy president, said a fanatical and obsessive attitude can result in an individual shutting the doors of his mind to any information coming from people he dislikes.

He also said that extremist groups would be suspicious of others, adopt a cynical view, conceal the good and play up the mistakes of others.

"The Wasatiyyah approach we want to popularise has excellent qualities and is an approach for the wholesome development of man, society and country based on Islamic teachings practised with moderation and balance," he said.

He said the 1Malaysia concept, which comprises values such as culture of excellence, perseverance, humility, acceptance, loyalty, meritocracy, education and integrity, has also assimilated the moderate approach.  

Muhyiddin said the ultimate objective of the Wasatiyyah approach does not deviate from the effort to raise the quality of life of the ummah (people) in all aspects, such as mastering knowledge, human development, the economic and financial system, solidarity, defence, nationhood and so on.

Seminar held in conjunction with Umno AGM

On the seminar, held in conjunction with the Umno general assembly next week, Muhyiddin said it was hoped that the Wasatiyyah concept, highly demanded by Islam, can be practised in all aspects of life.

"Most importantly, the Wasatiyyah concept should be used as a guide in implementing the 1Malaysia concept of People First, Performance Now. This is the philosophy and formula which will realise the national aspiration in achieving Vision 2020," he said.

Former director of the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (Ikim) Dr Syed Ali Tawfiq Al-Attas and Professor of Global Studies at Universiti Sains Malaysia Dr Chandra Muzaffar have been entrusted with the task of explaining the Wasatiyyah approach and the 1Malaysia concept introduced by the prime minister.  

The seminar carries the objective of seeking the best methodology to assimilate the Wasatiyyah approach and the 1Malaysia concept in daily life and obtain feedback to improve implementation to mould the people into exemplary citizens.

Some 1,200 people, drawn from among students, NGO representatives and academicians, attended the seminar.

- Bernama