"We Are Not Racist At All" And Other Highlights From Najib's Interview On CNN
Najib paints a rosy picture of Malaysia during an interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour. Is this a real reflection of the situation that Malaysians are facing everyday?
By Mei Mei Chu — 04 Nov 2013, 05:39 PM — Updated almost 11 years ago
Amanpour, "How bad was it that President Obama had to cancel his trip to Malaysia?"
“It was a missed opportunity for Obama to assert his leadership, particularly in the context of his policy pivot towards Asia,” Najib told Amanpour in London. “I know he regrets it.” “When he called me he said, ‘By hook or by crook, I will visit Malaysia next year. So we’re looking forward to receiving him.”
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When asked about the turmoil happening in the Muslim world, Najib answered with the word "moderation"
“It’s very alarming to see what’s happening in the Muslim world. And it’s about time we come to our senses and realize that moderation is the only path that will ensure peace and stability for the Muslim world, and for the wider world.”
cnn.com
Najib drew attention last month when, at the U.N. General Assembly in New York, he said that the greatest threat to Muslims now “comes not from the outside world, but from within.”
asianews.co
When asked about the turmoil happening in the Muslim world, Najib answered with the word "moderation"
Image via nst.com.myCiting the 'Allah' and Ke$ha ban resulting from religious conservatism and extremism, Amanpour questioned about moderation in Malaysia
“My priority is to ensure peace and harmony in Malaysia. That is uppermost in my mind,” Dato' Seri Najib said.
She asked, "Frankly, how difficult is it to walk that line of moderation amidst pressures from conservatives and opposition?"
"It's all about having a long-term vision for the country and we are committed to that," he said. However, to achieve the country's long-term goals, Najib said there would be "some growing pains along the way". "And if you want long-term stability, you must make sure that the majority of the people are not marginalised."
nst.com.my
"Having said that, we do cater as well, in a very inclusive way, for minorities. For example, in my budget speech, I addressed the concerns of Indian Malaysians. We are not racist at all."
nst.com.my
Amanpour was not convinced with Najib's answer, arguing the brain drain situation of the Chinese and Indians in Malaysia
On the brain drain, Najib acknowledged it and said: “This is what we are doing right now; we are attempting to keep our best talent at home by providing more opportunities and creating high-paying jobs.
intellasia.net“In a recent World Bank survey on the ease of doing business, Malaysia rose to 6th in the global rankings from 12th.”
Najib said the improvement in rankings spoke volumes for the reforms being carried out in Malaysia.
intellasia.netThe interview gets tough as Amanpour directed the question to allegations of fraud in GE13
“By and large the allegations are totally unfounded,” he protested. “For example, they allege that we brought in 40,000 people from Bangladesh to vote in the last election. And since the last election they’ve not been able to produce any evidence of that.”
asianews.co
The interview gets tough as Amanpour directed the question to allegations of fraud in GE13
Image via imgur.comNajib was quick to defend that there are no worries when it comes to questions of human rights violation
Najib said that he had a “very positive record,” having “disbanded the Internal Security Act, which is detention without trial.” He also points to the fact that he disbanded the Emergency Ordinance and allowed for peaceful assembly in Malaysia.
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Najib was quick to defend that there are no worries when it comes to questions of human rights violation
Image via abnxcess.comNajib ended the interview with confidence in the mandate he received from the party and the people, as it allows him to make the reforms needed to make Malaysia an advanced economy by 2020
"I believe we will achieve our goals. In every country, there will be people representing the whole breadth of the political spectrum," he said, citing the conservative Tea Party movement wreaking havoc on the political process in the United States.
nst.com.my
"But, fortunately, we don't have to go to that extent in Malaysia. We have people who are more conservative in their views and some who are more concerned about the ethnic balance in Malaysia."
nst.com.my
Critics were not impressed with the interview, saying that Amanpour did not ask hard-hitting questions
BlueMonk25: "Amanpour was too soft..no hard hitting questions one would expect...Najib has come away looking like a champ!"
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Sebastian Oh: "Thought Amanpour was being too polite and not pressing on for clearer answer. At times appeared that she was trying to bite her tongue to press forward. The entire interview appeared scripted to make 'jib look good; which was all a lie."
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