KUALA LUMPUR, June 2 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said tonight that he does not like to “quarrel” and prefers instead to iron out problems and disagreements by discussing them first.
Najib, who was speaking during the launch of a new Putrajaya-backed Christian group, said this when calling on Malaysians of all faiths to unite to ensure that no racial or religious tensions arise.
“So please, I believe in solving problems, I believe in peace and harmony, I don’t believe in quarrelling, I believe in getting together in solving problems and moving forward,” he said during the launch of a new non-governmental organisation Christians for Peace and Harmony in Malaysia (CPHM).
“But what I mean is we have to move forward together. I’m a great believer that if all of us work together, it will be greater than the sum of its past,” he added.
He said this amid an ongoing back-and-forth feud between him and former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who has repeatedly urged for his early resignation over his allegedly poor handling of a number of controversies plaguing the current administration.
Najib added that he prefers to solve all matters with a simple conversation, saying he is against the need to resort to legal measures when resolving a dispute.
“I believe that we should not resort to legal process if possible. I believe if there is a problem, sit down talk it over, perhaps over a big makan like this,” he said during the banquet dinner.
“I’m sure you can open your heart and find solution,” he added.
He further explained that when facing an argument, there is always a solution even if the solution is imperfect.
“I believe there are solutions to every problem. It may not be a perfect solution, but there are solutions.
“Sometimes, it’s better to accept 70 per cent of a solution than not having a solution at all,” he explained.
Dr Mahathir has been at the forefront of the attacks on Najib and his government, and has been actively pushing for the prime minister’s resignation, believing if the latter stays in government, it could cost BN Putrajaya in the 14th general election.
Chief among his concerns are the prime minister’s handling of the controversy surrounding 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), the state-owned investment firm that has amassed a debt worth over RM42 billion since 2009.
Najib, however, has declared that he will stay on as prime minister and Umno president.
