Don’t let global challenges outweigh the benefits: Najib

 

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the responsibility of all global citizens was not to let global challenges outweigh the benefits they brought.

Instead, the prime minister said they should be working together through the global community to find globalised solutions.

"I am confident that, coming out of this forum, we are well on our way towards finding some of these solutions," he said at the closing of the International Forum on "The Creation of Global Citizens: Media Liberalisation and New Political Realities", here, Monday.

The two-day forum, which ended Monday and attended by 63 representatives of 22 political parties from 20 countries and several members of Umno overseas clubs, was held in conjunction with the 61st Umno General Assembly.

Najib said the rise of global citizenship had changed the world dramatically and irrevocably.

"While the challenges these changes are daunting, I cannot imagine wanting to turn back now.

“Yes, this new world is confusing at times, and sometimes as political leaders, we find comfort in thinking that we can turn back the clock to a simpler past.

"However, when we do this, we forget all the tremendous benefits that globalisation has brought to each one of us and to the constituents we represent," he said.

The prime minister said this rise of global citizenship of course, had not been without its challenges and unforeseen consequences.

He said the globalised trade and commerce had tied the global economies so closely together that a crisis anywhere was now a crisis everywhere and "we learned this the hard way with the recent global financial crisis".

He added that globalised travel had also meant globalised disease and environmental degradation.

"Through our travel and integration, we have spread illness and have greatly harmed some of the world's once untouched paradises."

Najib also said that globalised information and communication technologies had also their dark side.

"Once isolated, extremists from around the world have been able to form communities fueled by hate and misinformation. Lies and hatred have never spread more quickly or been more damaging," he said.

Despite these consequences, Najib strongly believed that globalisation and the rise of global citizenship had been a net positive development and new walls should not be created to disrupt the ever-strengthening integration of the global community.

"The answer to these new global challenges lies not in disrupting our integration. Instead the answer lies in finding new and innovative global solutions," he said. Najib also addressed the twin challenges created by globalised information and communications, including the rise of extremist communities and the rampant spread of misinformation.

He said before the advent of Internet and sophisticated communication networks, extremists were isolated and often marginalised but unfortunately with the rise of the web and other communication technologies "these voices of isolated extremists found each other and formed communities that have resulted in despicable acts".

"I do not believe that the answer lies in reversing the forces of globalisation. Instead what we need is a new and globalised solution. We need to re-isolate extremists.

"To do this, I have called for a 'Global Movement of Moderates', an effort that will amplify the voices of the silent majority while seeking to silence the voices of the loud minority preaching division and hate," he said.

On the spread of misinformation and hatred through the new communication channels, he reiterated Malaysia's steadfast support for press freedom and a responsible press.

"Without a free media, the world would not be as integrated as it is today. The answer does not lie in restricting freedom or rolling back globalisation in any way - that would be counter productive and quite frankly, impossible.

"What we need is a new and globalised way of doing things. We need, as the title of this forum suggests, greater media liberalisation and greater press freedom around the world.

"Instead of seeking only to limit the voices that spread hatred, what we must do is amplify and facilitate the voices from every corner of the world that spread reason and speak responsibly. We must make the responsible voices louder that the irresponsible ones."

Najib added that the rise of global citizenship had been a boon to all of the global community where they were wealthier, smarter, more productive and more aware.

source: the star