updated version

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today Malaysia is behind developed nations because Muslims in the country are advised "to study religion to gain merit in the next world".

"Indeed, parents are known to insist that their children study religion because they, the parents, would gain merit for themselves also.

"In Malaysia, professionals have been known to express regret that they had chosen to study their professions instead of religion," said Mahathir when opening the International Islamic University (IIU) in Gombak.

"To expiate what they consider to be a sin, they send all their children to religious schools to become hafiz (one who has memorised the Quran)," he added.

Mahathir also touched on issues such as the clouded perception of secularism; suicide of the Muslim community; cloning humans; and the need to tone down the overwhelming emphasis on the study of theology.

"We know many Muslims study various non-religious subjects such as science and engineering, but many more who would be studying these important subjects are not doing so because even though they may be brilliant, they are made to believe that these are secular subjects," said Mahathir.

He added further that those studying the "non-religious subjects" are harassed by those who would have them devote more time to various para-religious activities.

Urban guerillas

"They are urged to participate in activities that have nothing to do with their studies, for example political agitations and so-called struggles of so-called Islamic issues. A favourite approach of those who are opposed to the acquisition of the non-religious knowledge is to accuse the government which is promoting non-religious education as being un-Islamic," said Mahathir.

He said in some cases such Muslim governments are attacked by urban guerillas and the leaders would be assassinated now and then. However, Mahathir did not specify the "Muslim governments".

Mahathir also said there is a need for Muslims to equip themselves to strike fear and ensure proper defence from enemies.

"Today we need guns and tanks, fighter planes and warships and a host of other sophisticated weapons in order to defend ourselves and deter the enemy. But we are dependent on others, including those who look upon Muslims as their enemies, to supply us with these defence requirements. We are not putting fear in the hearts of anyone and we are certainly unable to defend ourselves effectively," said Mahathir.

Mahathir also lamented the fact that Muslim countries missed the industrial revolution completely and said they are likely to miss the Information Age and the concomitant globalisation as well.

At a press conference later, Mahathir dismissed a question from a reporter regarding the opinion that he was not qualified enough to open the university as its founder.

"Who is it that is questioning? Who do they think is more qualified?" asked Mahathir, to which the reporter replied, "Anwar Ibrahim."

"He has done that sort of work and they still want that kind of person to be the PM?" asked Mahathir.

The opening of the university by the prime minister has been mired in controversy as some people think that is another move to obliterate Anwar who was instrumental in the university's development since its inception 18 years ago.

Increasing workload

Touching on financial matters, meanwhile, the premier said the peg on the ringgit will remain as he does not think the ringgit is overvalued.

"Do not try to get me into a quarrel with Bank Negara Malaysia," said Mahathir to a foreign media reporter who insisted on questioning him about the pegging.

Malaysia will still be able to compete in the international market although the economic slowdown in US will affect their capacity to import from Malaysia, he added.

Mahathir was also asked to comment on the appointment of former Bank Negara Malaysia governor Ali Abul Hasan Sulaiman as his new economic adviser.

Stating that he needs two advisers due to his increasing workload, Mahathir said, "Lots of people are asking me to solve their financial problems - and even marriage problems.

"If you have a problem, write to the PM. Then I have to meet the people. If I don't meet the people, I have to attend weddings and also talk to the press. You take a lot of my time!" he joked.

The ex-Bank Negara governor's name arose during the sodomy trial of Anwar last year when the former director-general of the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) Shafie Yahya testified that the prime minister had stopped investigations into Ali after he was found with RM100,000 in his drawer.

MTUC rapped

When asked on the Employees Provident Fund's (EPF) nine percent or 11 percent option for contribution, Mahathir said he believes the people would take out their savings, if given a chance.

"Just give them a chance, they will want to take out their money," said Mahathir.

"Even if we do not impose the nine percent, they would want to take out the money to buy computers, this and that. And that would be taking out much more," he added.

Mahathir also criticised the Malaysian Trades Union Congress' (MTUC) decision to hold a picket in protest of the EPF ruling simply because they did not agree with it.