From South China Morning Post

June 2 – Officials and the media are giving great significance to Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak’s four-day official visit to China from today, comparing it to his father’s trip in 1974.

Abdul Razak was the first non-aligned Asian leader to embrace Mao Zedong . He was given a hero’s welcome at home, even by local Chinese who were angry with him after Malay soldiers killed Chinese civilians during race riots in 1969.

Similarly, Najib, who became prime minister on April 3, is banking on his visit, made on the 35th anniversary of his father’s trip, to win back local Chinese who have deserted his National Front coalition for the alliance led by rival Anwar Ibrahim.

Even Chinese embassy officials emphasised the significance of the son following the father, something they say enhances trade and economic ties and helps local Chinese progress.

The government has also trooped out diplomats, academics, professionals and business and community leaders to emphasise the significance of Najib’s visit and praise Malaysia’s closeness to China.

The New Straits Times has given extensive coverage to Abdul’s 1974 visit and reminded the public the son is following in the father’s footsteps. National television is constantly showing images of Razak shaking hands with Mao.

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Opening address by Anwar Ibrahim at the L’Institut français des relations internationals Conference-Debate on “Islam and the West after George Bush”, in Paris, Chaired by Michel Camdessus.

IFRI is one of the most prestigious think tanks in France and among the top International Relations research institutes in the world. The event was attended by high level representatives from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Assembly, business community and widely covered in the French Press including France 24, Liberation, and others.

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Watch BBC World Interview with Anwar Ibrahim commenting on the Obama speech.

The discourse between Islam and the West as we know very well has been loaded with enormous historical baggage. It remains so today. What it tells us is that in as much as the interpretations of history differ and diverge so do the perceptions about Islam and the West. Today, regardless of George Bush, there continues to be a clash of interpretations on the subject.

Ironically, the clash is not about God. It is not a clash between the Church and the state as typified by that part of Western history as we know it. Bashing the Church is no longer considered a healthy intellectual sport and the concept of secularism itself is considered passé in many conversations.

In fact, if we look further, we ought to see centripetal forces at work. John Locke’s doctrine of the inviolability of human life and property finds resonance in the Prophetic tradition so well known to Islamic scholars: “O mankind, your blood, your property and your honour are as sacred as this Holy Land.”

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