Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said that when recognised as an authentic Islamic nation, Malaysia stands to gain many privileges.  

“We profit both in terms of Islam and the national economy,” he said in his speech when closing the Islamic Organisation Leadership Seminar and the handing over of contributions to mosques and surau in Pekan today.

The event was attended by 723 people.

Also present were 1Malaysia Putra Club chairman Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, Pahang Islamic Affairs Department director Mohamad Noor Abdul Rani and state assembly speaker Ishak Muhamad.

Najib added that the recognition also enabled him to be among the five leaders out of 51 national leaders who were given the opportunity to deliver their addresses at the Arab-Islamic-US Summit in Riyadh, recently.

“I was the last debator to deliver a speech for the nation. This was following King Salman’s visit to Malaysia (prior to this) and from the visit, Malaysia received better treatment and special consideration,” he said.

In addition, Najib also said the national economy is also improving which is then returned to the people such as the Hari Raya bonus of RM500 to civil servants, RM250 to government pensioners and the second round payment of 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) on June 5.

The Pekan member of parliament said the economic benefits were also enjoyed by the people of Pekan when aid to mosques was increased to RM1,500 from RM1,200 while aid to surau this year was RM1,000 compared to RM700 previously.

“Thank god, we have considerable fortune and this is due to our unity, helping each other, our spirit of brotherhood, we don’t quarrel among ourselves and boycott each other... When we show good behaviour, Allah will reciprocate by blessing us with more sustenance,” he said.

During the ceremony, 60 mosques and 166 surau received the aid while Abdul Azeez also handed over contributions from the 1Malaysia Putra Club in the form of dates and the blessed water zam-zam.

- Bernama