Bernama

BUKIT MERTAJAM, Aug 4 (Bernama) — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today emphasised that Malaysia is not a secular nor a theocratic state but a country that practises parliamentary democracy.

He said the government in this country practised elements of government that reflected the composition of its population which was made up of various races and religion.

“We are not a secular state. We are also not a theocratic state like Iran and Pakistan which PAS wants us to be, but we are a government that is based on parliamentary democracy,” he told reporters after launching a programme with the people at the Tuanku Bainun Teaching Institute, here.

He said the existing government was a responsible one whether to the people or country and administered together by leaders from all races and religions under the Barisan Nasional coalition.

“We (the government) consist of leaders from the various religions — Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity — and everyone is involved in discussions to reach a consensus on national development policies,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the formula adopted had been proven to be capable of driving the country towards development for the past 50 years.

“That is our country that has developed according to our own formula which has been tested for the past 50 years and has already succeeded today,” he said.

Abdullah said he failed to see how such a government could not continue to progress in future, that is up to its 100th independence anniversary.