By Rozanna Latiff
"Our strength should not lie just in the number of online friends we amass, but in the number of intelligent, mature and open dialogues we engage in with them.
"We should take the lead in guiding our social media connections towards constructive conversations, whether on Facebook, Twitter or other social networks of preference."
The prime minister was writing in his blog www.1malaysia.com.my.
Najib was responding to the findings of a global study conducted by international research firm Digital Life, which revealed that Malaysians were the world's most active users of social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
Malaysian users were also found to have the highest average number of friends on social networks.
Najib said that considering the modest size of the country's population and ever growing rate of broadband penetration, the findings showed Malaysians' readiness to embrace social media and it reflected a high degree of acceptance of others.
"Our remarkable online connectivity presents both an opportunity and a responsibility for us to communicate as moderates.
"We as a people have ably demonstrated a moderate's viewpoint in the spirit of 1Malaysia, as evidenced this past year on issues such as national sovereignty and religious tolerance."
He said Malaysian online users could be vital players in a global movement to push moderates to the forefront, by rejecting groups propagating extreme ideologies.
"We should not be swayed to respond to coarse and immature online provocation with similar behaviour. Instead, we should take an approach that best reflects our integrity and culture as a people."
It was Najib's first blog entry in two weeks after a bout of chicken pox.
He thanked readers who sent well-wishes and prayers, adding that he was comforted not only by the positive messages but by the ability to connect virtually instantly with others through online media.
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