PUTRAJAYA: Constructive engagement and dialogue should be preferred over armed conflict to resolve issues if lasting global peace is to be achieved said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
"It is imperative that we achieve a peace premised upon a covenant of the willing, not one enforced by hegemony or secured through coercion," he said this when officiating The Mahathir Award For Global Peace in Putrajaya on Tuesday.
He said the challenge faced by the international community was to collectively work together to find peace - not merely for this generation, but for all time.
He added that such noble efforts were crucial as mankind had yet to turn its back on its most primitive pastime of wagging war against each other despite advancements in civilisation.
"Whether border skirmishes or civil war, sectarian violence or military occupation, conflict continues to take a heavy toll on people and nations," he said.
In this regard, Najib praised the non-violent approach taken by renowned leader such as Nelson Mandela who chose reconciliation over retribution following the end of apartheid in South Africa.
"Faced with a choice between settling scores and healing wounds, President Mandela demonstrated that peace begins at home.
"The practice of peace begins with personal commitment to forgiveness and compassion," he added.
Najib also lauded Mahathir's effort and role in promoting global peace and his strong stance against war.
"Tun Mahathir works tirelessly to deliver a simple message that war should not be the preferred path to peace," he said.
To this end, he said the country had played an instrumental role in helping dismantle 300 years of apartheid in South Africa when Malaysia's first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman made opposition to apartheid known.
He added that it was Mahathir who did the most in terms of working with the Commonwealth, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Zambian administration and African National Congress to help end apartheid.
He said it was this connection that has helped forged good relations between Malaysia and South Africa.
Earlier in his speech, South Africa president Jacob Zuma, who was present at the event on behalf of Mandela, said he was honoured that South Africa had produced such a global icon.
He said that both Mahathir and Mandela shared a personal friendship that extended back to 1990, when the Malaysia leader was amongst the first to greet the Africa leader in Zambia following his release from 27 years of imprisonment.
He added that Mandela, who turned 95 recently, is still receiving treatment at a hospital in South Africa and was in critical but stable condition.
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