Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem has urged the majority of Malaysians to be united and speak up against extremism as the country cannot afford to have extremists given its diversity in terms of race, culture and religion.

Speaking at a Barisan Nasional youth retreat dinner in Kuching last night, Adenan said that the country could become a worse place not because the minority did not do enough, but the majority did nothing.

“Malaysians could not afford to be extremists given our diversity in terms of race, culture and religion.  We have to be assertive for moderation in this country because it is proven that moderate approaches in politics have sustained us for the last two or three generations,” he said.

Pointing out that there is no problem of extremism in Sarawak, Adenan said that peninsular Malaysians can learn from the people on Sarawak.

“Maybe you people from peninsular Malaysia have something to learn from us. In Sarawak we have the same family members who are Christians, Muslims and Budhists under the same roof. They don’t quarrel and get along well,” he said to BN youths from peninsular Malaysia who were present at the function.

Among those attending the function from peninsular Malaysia included BN Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, who is also Umno Youth wing leader.

Adenan, who is the state Barisan Nasional chairperson, warned that the danger of extremism is looming in the country and it is for the moderates  to speak up for moderation, pointing out that the majority cannot be silenced  for the fanatics and extremists do not speak for the country.

“We speak for the country,” he said.

Adenan’s strong message is seen by political observers as a timely reminder to Umno extremists who will be attending the Umno general assembly starting from Nov 25, 2014.

Malaysians are closely watching the Umno assembly when many ‘controversies’ are expected to be uttered from it.