KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 11 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak wants the creation of political and economic systems to enable younger people to achieve their aspiration and have a stake in local societies.

The prime minister said in the era of globalisation, the issues of youth empowerment and the importance of engaging young people had become a pertinent challenge for many Muslim nations today.

“As responsible leaders, our response must not be to try and control the internet or ban new communication tools which are inherently valuable to modern economy. Instead, we must ensure that young people are given a stake in our socities,” he said in his keynote address at the United Nations Association Malaysia (Unam) annual dinner here today.

Najib said in Malaysia, economic reforms had opened up the country’s economy to the world and with encouraging monetary achievements, had led to political maturity.

“We have not suffered the upheaval of a ‘Malaysian Spring’ because our economy is vibrant enough to accommodate young people’s aspirations, and our politics is mature enough to accomodate change,” he said.

Also present were Unam president Tengku Tan Sri Ahmad Rithauddeen Tengku Ismail and Global Movement of Moderates Foundation chairman Tan Sri Razali Ismail.

Najib said he believed that Malaysia could be an example for other nations in its own small way, where a country could be modern, open, democratic, successful and Muslim-majority.

He added that by demonstrating those aspects, a country would not only become prosperous, but also help defeat the anti-modern and regressive narrative that was at the heart of extremist preaching.

Najib said female empowerment was also integral to create a prosperous and equitable global economy.

He cited the World Bank statistics whereby, of the bottom 20 nations for female labour participation, 19 were Muslim-majority countries while the latest Global Gender Gap Report pointed slow but steady progress for most of the world,  but remained static for many Muslim nations.

“This situation clearly needs to change if nations are to take advantage of the opportunities globalisation offers.

“And, there need be no conflict between female participation and Islam. Many countries with some of the best participation rates are Muslim-majority,” he noted.

The prime minister said the decision to leave women out of the economic system would only risk countries to be on the wrong side of economic history.

He said while globalisation had created many problems, it had also brought new opportunities.

“By embracing moderation, in all its forms, and seeking to take advantage of an increasingly open and inter-connected world, I hope Malaysia can not only remain prosperous but also set an example for other nations to follow,” added Najib. — Bernama