Southeast Asia countries confront several conflicts such as border area conflicts. For instance, a country and another country claim some areas or islands. Nevertheless, they resolve the conflicts through peace.

In a public lecture of the fifth Mahathir Global Peace School (MGPS) on Monday (5/12) at Sportorium of Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY), Former Prime Minister of Malaysia Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad stated that even though countries of ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nation) have confronted territorial conflicts, none of them resolves the conflicts through war.

“Indonesia and Malaysia disputed two islands, but they did not go to war. The conflict was uttered to United Nations and it was decided that the islands belong to Malaysia. Although Indonesia was sad, Indonesia accepted the international agreement. The other example is that both Malaysia and Singapore claimed the rights of Rock Island. International decision stated that the island belongs to Singapore, and Malaysia received the decision,” told Tun  Dr. Mahathir.

He also mentioned that war is sparked by weapon companies which are considered as the greatest industry in the world. They persuade a country to buy weapons as defense instruments.

“The companies want us to kill one another by the weapons they sell while they gain the benefits of the murder. This is uncivilized. Indeed, they often offer weapons to non-conflicting countries. They induce that a country will be attacked by another country if it does not have weapons. In fact, none of countries assails,” Tun asserted.

Furthermore, Tun emphasized that Islam teaches honesty, trust, and care of mankind and children. Islam teaches good life, but people do not perform it by killing one another.

“Islam forbids Muslims to kill. However, what occurs in Muslim countries is that they kill one other. They shout Allahu Akbar before killing. What they do, in fact, is a sin but why they mention the name of Allah? Islamic law states that taking one’s life should be paid by his/her life,” Tun conveyed.

Killing or going to war is an uncivilized way to resolve conflicts. “Through war, no stability exists in this world. People will live in fear. We need peace. From the very beginning, Islam brings peace to mankind,” Tun declared.