Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak wants the creation of political and economic systems to enable younger people to achieve their aspirations and have a stake in local societies.

The prime minister said in this era of globalisation, the issues of youth empowerment and the importance of engaging young people had become a pertinent challenge for many Muslim nations today.

"As responsible leaders, our response must not be to try and control the internet or ban new communications tools that are inherently valuable to modern economy.

"Instead, we must ensure that young people are given a stake in our societies," Najib said in his keynote address at the United Nations Association Malaysia (Unam) annual dinner in Kuala Lumpur tonight.

In Malaysia, he said, economic reforms had opened up the country's economy to the world and with encouraging monetary achievements, had led to political maturity.

"We have not suffered the upheaval of a 'Malaysian Spring' because our economy is vibrant enough to accommodate young people's aspirations, and our politics is mature enough to accommodate change," he said.

Also present were Unam president Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen Tengku Ismail and Global Movement of Moderates Foundation chairman Razali Ismail.

Najib said he believed that Malaysia could be an example for other nations in its own small way, where a country could be modern, open, democratic, successful and Muslim-majority.

He added that by demonstrating those aspects, a country would not only become prosperous, but also help defeat the anti-modern and regressive narrative that was at the heart of extremist preaching.

- Bernama