Prime Minister Najib Razak said today that Malaysia has its own definition of human rights, and urged Malaysians to defend the country’s unique stance on the matter, even if it raises concerns from the international community.
Najib said that Malaysia’s interpretation of human rights must be in line with the context of Islam, and the country’s form of Syariah law, and not the universal definition.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the bedrock underneath the formation of the United Nations, and to which all member states profess at least a desire in honouring.
Malaysia is a member state of the United Nations.
“Even if this is difficult to defend at the international level, we should defend the definition in the country,” he said at the launch of a seminar in Bangi, today.
The Sun Daily‘s Bernard Cheah reports that Najib also took aim groups abusing the concept of human rights, which he described as being extremist and liberal.
“These groups, are hiding behind the facade of human rights to approve their acts which deviate from Islamic teaching.
“Such groups includes the Islamic State (IS) and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community (LGBT) are targeting the younger generation to spread their ideologies – and it seems like they have managed to influence them.”
The PM stressed the adoption of the Islamic principle of wasatiyyah, or moderation, equality, egalitarianism, and peace, throughout the Malaysian Government and society.
“It should not be a mere slogan, but it should be lived out and experienced by the people,” he said.
