Zahid (third right) launching ‘Yayasan YouAct’ at the ‘KL International Youth Discourse’ programme. — Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR: The fight against extremism must also be waged beyond social media given that many people do not use such a platform, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said that in talking to different groups about extremism, it should start locally by bringing together more people, including community and religious leaders, businesses and non-governmental bodies.
“The advantages of dialogue are obvious. It educates both sides, constructs a better understanding…and best of all exposes vulnerabilities which can become the beginning for community trust,” he said when addressing the Kuala Lumpur International Youth Discourse (KLIYD) 2016 here yesterday.
The home minister noted that many youth groups from across the region were engaged in helping the homeless, providing tuition to children and other worthy causes.
“Your experiences in mobilising a movement on the ground and directly for the people are the kind of expertise we need in fighting extremism,” the deputy prime minister said.
Ahmad Zahid said getting different opinions to the table was one thing, but the next vital step was how to outmaneuver the extremism ideal.
One of the ways to do it, he said, was by providing a platform for terror victims to share their experiences, and spearhead the effort to contradict the myths surrounding extremism and terrorism.
Meanwhile, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said Rohingya youth in this country should link up with local youth bodies in their quest for peace in their troubled region.
“Enhance yourselves with this network. I believe you have platforms, you have friends in Malaysia who can help you to articulate your concerns and help you to continue advocating for peace in your homeland,” he said.
Khairy said this at one of the sessions at KLIYD whose strategic partner was the Razak School of Government, and NSTP Group being the strategic media partner. — Bernama