Recognition as authentic Islamic nation enables Malaysia to enjoy numerous privileges - PM Najib

The highest recognition to Malaysia as an authentic Islamic nation enables us to enjoy numerous religious and economic privileges, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

For example, Najib quoted the recognition from the Saudi Arabian king, King Salman Abdulaziz Al-Saud, who increased the haj quota for Malaysians and positive response to Malaysia's request to build two haj complexes in Makkah and Madinah.

Meanwhile, economically, Najib said the decision of Saudi Aramco to invest RM31.08 billion in the Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development (RAPID) Project in Pengerang, Johor would be a capital injection to Malaysia other than the setting up of the King Salman Centre of International Peace (KSCIP) in Malaysia.

"He (King Salman) could have picked any nation but why did he pick Malaysia? This is what we should ask and the answer is because of what we practise here.

"What we do in the name of Islam, our policies which are regarded as the best Islamic modules. We are recognised as authenthic Islam and for our moderate approach. Those are what he (King Salman) views highly.

"We profit both in terms of Islam and the national economy," he said in his speech when closing the islamic Organisation Leadership Seminar and handing over contributions to Mosques and Surau in the Pekan Parliament at the Pekan UMNO Amphitheatre Hall here today, which was participated by 723 people.

Also present were 1Malaysia Putra Club chairman Datuk Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, Pahang Islamic Affairs Department director Datuk Mohamad Noor Abdul Rani and State Assembly Speaker Datuk Seri Ishak Muhamad.

Najib added that the recognition also enabled him to be among the five leaders out of 51 national leaders who were given the opportunity to deliver their addresses at the Arab-Islamic-US Summit in Riyadh, recently.

"I was the last debator to deliver a speech for the nation. This was following King Salman's visit to Malaysia (prior to this) and from the visit, Malaysia received better treatment and special consideration," he said.

In addition, Najib also said the national economy is also improving which is then returned to the people such as the Hari Raya bonus of RM500 to civil servants, RM250 to government pensioners and the second round payment of 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) on June 5.

The Pekan Member of Parliament said the economic benefits were also enjoyed by the people of Pekan when aid to mosques was increased to RM1,500 from RM1,200 while aid to surau this year was RM1,000 compared to RM700 previously.

"Thank God, we have considerable fortune and this is due to our unity, helping each other, our spirit of brotherhood, we don't quarrel among ourselves and boycott each other...When we show good behaviour, Allah will reciprocate by blessing us with more sustenance," he said.

During the ceremony, 60 mosques and 166 surau received the aid while Abdul Azeez also handed over contributions from the 1Malaysia Putra Club in the form of dates and the blessed water zam-zam.

-- BERNAMA