PUTRAJAYA, May 15 — Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, seen as the progressive face of the party, today sought to explain the prime minister’s criticisms against liberalism, suggesting that Datuk Seri Najib Razak was “liberally” using the term.
Earlier today, the prime minister warned the youth to steer clear of liberal and pluralistic beliefs that he said would destroy the country and themselves, instead advising them to embrace the moderation he espouses.
“I think the prime minister, when he uses the word liberal, he uses the word liberally.
“I think what he was talking about is liberalism taken to its excess, which means unfettered liberalism, which means activities which goes against our society’s values, and our society’s moral expectations,” he said, after the launch of the National Youth Day celebrations at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre.
The youth and sports minister said no one would dream of having topless parties or even gay pride marches openly in Malaysia.
“But in terms of saying liberalism is a bad word, I think that’s overstating and maybe generalising it.
“I don’t think the word liberal per se is anything dangerous or bad for the country,” Khairy said.
Najib, who is also the Umno president, just two days ago said Islam and its followers are now being tested by new threats under the guise of humanism, secularism, liberalism and human rights.
He said this mindset appeared to be becoming a new form of religion which was fast expanding locally and abroad.
“They call it human rightism, where the core beliefs are based on humanism and secularism as well as liberalism.
“It’s deviationist in that it glorifies the desires of man alone and rejects any value system that encompasses religious norms and etiquettes. They do this on the premise of championing human rights,” he said at the opening the 57th national-level Quran Recital Assembly at the Dewan Jubli Perak Sultan Ahmad Shah on Tuesday night.
