Call For ASEAN Societies To Appreciate Moderation

KUALA LUMPUR, April 25 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Paul Low has called on ASEAN societies to appreciate moderation and embed it as a core value. Speaking to 1,400 participants at the ASEAN Civil Society Conference (ACSC) or ASEAN Peoples' Forum (APF) here Friday, he urged the "moderate voices" to rise up against the extremists. "This is because the moderate voice is an engaging voice, whereas an extremist voice is not one. "I feel that along the way, we have lost the sense of civilness, of compassion, of empathy. In our strong belief in values taught by our parents or religious doctrines, we lose sight of the necessity to accommodate the views of others," he said. The conference, which marked its 10th anniversary, was held in conjunction with the 26th ASEAN Summit on April 26-27 here and in Langkawi island. Low, the former president of a non-governmental organisation, Transparency Malaysia, said extremists, not only live in cocoons within their own perspectives, but also formed and nurtured it out of their own fears and insecurities. "The truth is that they lack genuine confidence in their own beliefs and identity. "They think the only way to elevate their securities is to take control of others, and this is unhealthy, short-sighted and insolent," he added. In his keynote address at the three-day conference which ended Friday, Low also touched on the issue of human rights, saying ASEAN prosperity must be built based on it. However, he cautioned that implementing human rights, needs to be conceptual to the respective society that wants to implement it. He said some beliefs were entrenched for so long in a society that change will take a considerable time. "What is considered as human rights in the modern world may be deemed inappropriate in certain societies," he added. Low also hoped that ASEAN governments would adopt the "Prosper Thy Neighbour" policy to help curb migrant labour. "Could we not look at other ASEAN states which are poorer and help them to develop economic zones, as well as infrastructure, which provide jobs to their people. "Governments could encourage their companies to invest there in order to help eradicate poverty," he said. Last, but not least, Low pointed to the rich diversity of Southeast Asian countries, which also meant a wealth of ideas that should be harnessed to benefit the region. "We should celebrate our differences as well as our communalities, and ultimately our humanities," he added. --BERNAMA