Discussions Should Become a Culture to Form Agreements - Former Malaysian PM

KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 (Bernama) -- Discussions should be made a culture to form agreements, not only among Muslims, but also between all communities regarding national issues, including those related to religion and politics. Former Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said ideas and opinions gained from these discussions could be the basis for consensus. Abdullah, who is also chairman of the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (Ikim), said the move would also help form a united, collaborative and mutually-understanding society for the good of the country. "Common views are taken and formed into an idea, for example, the Rukun Negara (National Pillars), where although during the discussions Rukun Negara was not mentioned, we tried to find common grounds regardless of our race and religion." He told this to reporters after opening the seminar, 'Political Dilemma of Muslims in Malaysia: Understanding Current Realities and Challenges' at Ikim, here, Tuesday. The idea of holding musyawarah (discussions) involving the various communities was mooted by Malaysia's second Prime Minister Abdul Razak Hussein when he became chairman of the National Operations Council (Mageran) in the aftermath of the May 1969 racial riots where he invited representatives of political parties, non-governmental organisations, religious groups and others to the discussion table. -- BERNAMA