KUALA LUMPUR: It is imperative that a multiracial country like Malaysia maintains good relations among races, which is in line with the teachings of Islam, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The Prime Minister said Islam was a religion of peace and moderation in all aspects of life, and in Malaysia, not being extreme was important.

"For example, we need not be loose or free and have gay parades. But neither should be practice extremism like IS, which ideology is against Islamic teachings," he said at a breaking of fast event with the police corps here.

He said that IS beliefs went against Islam as its fighters killed civilians, and pointed out that in Islam dictates that one could not kill civilians during wars.

Najib paid tribute to the men in blue for maintaining peace and order and prevented violence and terror acts from occurring on Malaysian soil.

"Thanks to the police, IS has no footing here," he said.

Najib also said that under the National Transformation Programme where reducing crime was a priority, the percentage of crime incidents had declined by 40% in five years.

He said that car thefts had gone down by 20% during the same period, which car insurance companies could attest to.

"This is the hard work of the police which have collaborated with NGOs, Rakan Cop and community policing to combat crime," Najib added.

Also present at the event were Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.