Malaysia will not allow religious provocation or any threatening act or insults of any religion to take place even in the name of freedom of expression, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The Prime Minister reiterated that freedom had its limitation and that authorities would continue to take action against those attempting to stir religious conflict in the country.

"Mutual respect among the various races is a basic principle that we need to practise to ensure national harmony is maintained," he said in his message aired over local radio, Friday.

Najib said Malaysia strongly condemned the terrorist attacks in several locations around the world such as in Paris and Sydney recently.

"In the 'Charlie Hebdo' context, we completely avoid such attacks, nevertheless at the same time, it is pointless to accept such actions of provocation against other religions," Najib said, referring to last week's incident which saw an attack on the office of the French satirical newspaper in Paris that resulted in the deaths of 12 people.

The newspaper had published provocative cartoons that were seen as insulting to Muslims.
Drawing attention to the White Paper on terror, tabled in Parliament in November last year, Najib added that the Government was committed to safeguarding Malaysia from militant threats.

A new Centre of Excellence for Research on disaster management will be set up, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. He said RM20mil in special grants will also be offered for research into disaster management and flood mitigation, through the Long Term Research Grant Scheme and Fundamental Reserach Grant Scheme.

 "Landslides, haze and floods often occur in our country, and there needs to be a comprehensive and effective approach to disaster management. "This includes the aspects of environmental management, disaster preparedness, public awareness programmes, relief coordination, communications and the rebuilding of disaster-hit areas," he said in his New Year's address to Education Ministry staff here on Friday.

 Muhyiddin, who is also the Education Minister, said that estimated cost of damage to schools and tertiary institutions in the recent floods was around RM500mil. "I hope schools and institutions located in flood-prone areas will prepare for the possibility of floods.

 "Students, teachers and parents should also be given disaster awareness education so that they will be physically and mentally prepared for such disasters, and are able to look after their families' safety," he said. On another matter, Muhyiddin said that the Malaysia Education Development Plan (Higher Education) 2015-2025 will be launched in the first quarter of this year.

 "This plan will produce innovative and creative talent in line with the 'new academia' agenda of the 11th Malaysia Plan," he said. Muhyiddin also announced the setting up of the Malaysian Inclusivity, Development and Advancement Institute (Minda) at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, which will carry out research on "social and economic inequality in society with a focus on economic development that is inclusive and narrows the wage gap".

 Muhyiddin later handed out letters of autonomy to five universities – Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, and Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka.