Leader Datuk Seri Najib Razak, in his discourse at the 70th General Assembly of the United Nations yesterday, had declared Malaysia’s ability to acknowledge 3,000 Syrian outcasts inside of the following three years to help in the evacuee emergency including Syrian nationals.
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It is reported that about four million Syrian refugees have fled into neighboring countries since the start of the civil war in 2011.
“Now is the time for us to be united to make sure our country continues to develop, not be divided and accusatory”, he added in a follow-up tweet. “And it is only when we see that terrible picture of three-year-old Aylan Kurdi washed ashore – and recognise our own children in that tragic boy’s innocent face – that we will act as our better selves”.
As such, Ahmad Zahid said, Malaysians regardless of race and religion, should support the Prime Minister’s plans to help the people of Syria.
Citing productivity as the pillar of economic sustainability, Najib said, “Higher productivity generates more lucrative income”. We can not, we must not, pass on by.
“We will not stand for it. Neither will they succeed”, he said.
The ringgit led losses in Asia and stocks retreated, as concern that Malaysia may miss its target of balancing the budget by 2020 hurt a currency already reeling from a worsening slowdown in China and allegations of corruption against Prime Minister Najib Razak. “There is a possibility we will work together with private housing developers and also government-linked companies”.
He added: “Temporary job opportunities can be given to them until the situation is peaceful in Syria and they can go home”.
Whilst praising the Malaysian security forces for the strong action they have taken, Najib called for greater co-operation amongst nation states – and their respective militaries and intelligence services – to combat this threat.
“We are anxious Islamophobia will haunt the western nations’ thinking and those who do not understand the religious teachings”, he said.
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Najib – who is also president of ruling coalition Barisan Nasional’s lynchpin Umno – however, gave tacit approval last month to a Malaysia Day rally in Kuala Lumpur dubbed “Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu”, saying it was a manifestation of the rise of the Malays to defend their dignity and the country’s leadership from being condemned and humiliated.
