KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says the controversial programme for youths to visit different places of worship to learn about other faiths was "not necessarily a wise one".
He said this was because it came at the wrong time.
"Why go and excite people unnecessarily? I mean, I go to churches... it's not an issue. It's important that the prime minister can attend (functions at other places of worship).
"But, at a time when people are a bit apprehensive, not only in Malaysia (but) worse in Europe these days and among some right-wing people in the US, I think we should be more circumspect," he told Al Jazeera in an interview, the full length of which was released today.
Anwar said the issue was now being abused and exploited by the opposition.
The Youth and Sports Ministry, under which the programme fell, received much criticism for it and it was eventually shelved.
Asked about whether this ran contrary to his stand of equal rights for all races and religions, he said the special position of Malays and Islam was enshrined in the Federal Constitution and therefore must be accepted.
However, he said this must not be used to discriminate against others.
"Why must you be divisive? In your rhetoric, you say things that continue to discriminate, which I will not do."
Anwar said it would be better for Malaysia to practice equality as the New Economic Policy had been proven to not do anything for the Malays.
"It would be better for Malays (if there is equality for all) and these policies (the NEP) have been proven (in the past) to have been used by the Malay elite just to benefit their cronies and themselves," he said.
Anwar hit out at the opposition for their hypocrisy when they preached equality and inclusivity as these were Malay parties which were only concerned about policies for Malays and attacked the unity government for being multiracial and liberal.
On talk by the opposition of taking over the country even before the next general election, Anwar said this was the work of those who are facing corruption charges.
"What choice do they have? They will try to unseat (the government) hopefully to try to save themselves. But there is no serious challenge (because) we have two-thirds majority."
Asked if the opposition does well in the upcoming elections in six states, whether there would be concern that they would push for a vote of no confidence in Parliament, Anwar said it would not affect the position of the federal government.