Kofi Annan: Malaysia better than many regional nations

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has its own problems, but the situation is better of than that of many other countries in the region, former United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan said.
He said there might be tensions but Malaysia had managed the ethnic mix better than many other societies.
"I have no doubt that there are difficulties. There are problems in Malaysia but look around you and compare it with other situations. I think Malaysia can claim that the country has been relatively peaceful.
"It's a lesson that you need to share with others. With all the difficulties you see but compare that with other countries in other region. I think you put things into perspective," he told a press conference here on Friday.
Annan said the world was divided where extremist minority groups often exploited religion to support their cause.
"What is sad is that the majority don't speak up. The impression is given that these extreme elements speak for the religion and represent the religion. I wish the majority will also speak up."
He proposed that Malaysia's leadership not just be involved in peacekeeping operations but also be involved in debates of the so-called "clash of civilization".
"The debate today is between those who see the West as threatening their beliefs, their future, their political aspiration and the elements in the West who seem to see Islam as an extremist religion.
"We live in a much wider world and an interdependent one and the kind of leadership that I am encouraging Malaysia to take on is not limited to the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians."
He said Malaysia was one of the countries, which offered troops to put a peacekeeping force in the south of Lebanon after the war between Lebanon and Israel.
"That kind of leadership is essential but it should not be limited to peacekeeping operations, but where we have debate between coexistence of different religions, different creeds and different people, I think Malaysia has a voice and it should use it more often."
On the issue of Hamas, he said Malaysia could involve in the discussions of the establishments of two states, Israel and Palestine.
"It can work with other countries in the region and the quartet. Malaysia's voice must be heard."
He said Malaysia's leaders had always responded on issues, which needed support and leadership from certain Islamic countries.
On Asean's non-interference policy, Annan said Governments could not use the excuse of sovereignty to stay out of certain crimes such as those against humanity and violation of human rights.
"Certain crimes, we cannot say they are somebody else's problem. We should all be compelled to act. Asean needs to be a bit more active in the neighbourhood."
Citing the Myanmar conflict as an example, he said Asean could use peer pressure to steer things right.
He said regional organisations such as the European Union and the African Union which had initially adopted non-interference policy now started to realise that crisis would not remain internal or geographically limited for long because it tends to spread.

tunku : it's sad that some of our own people doesn't realize this, that malaysia is much far better than other multiracial country.