PEKAN: THE growing demand from abroad for circumcision should encourage local companies to expand their latest male circumcision methods and techniques to the overseas market, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
He said the methods should be promoted overseas as circumcision was not only compulsory among Muslims, but also those from other religious beliefs, such as the Jewish faith.
Citing an example, Najib, who is Pekan member of parliament, said in Malaysia, the demand for circumcision was not only high among Muslims, but also those from other races who adopted it as a form of good practice.
“The technology developed by Malaysian companies here seems to be very effective and I encourage them to export it overseas.
“These methods can be used in remote villages that doctors find difficult to visit and conduct circumcisions,” he said in his speech when attending the Pekan parliament constituency-level mass circumcision ceremony at the Pekan convention hall here yesterday.
Najib said the traditional circumcision services performed
by a Tok Mudim (a person who performs traditional circumcisions) were slowly becoming a thing of the past, as the latest techniques had proven to be simpler and cause less pain.
“In the past, boys were told to have a dip in a pond or river to numb themselves before getting circumcised, which would have given them a traumatic experience.
“Now, the latest methods, such as the flashcutter, Tara-Klamp, Sunathrone and laser circumcision, have made the procedure simple, help ease the pain and ensure a speedy recovery.”
Commenting on the Sunatech technology (a clamping device used during circumcision), which was introduced for the first time during the ceremony, Najib said the method not only reduced pain, but was also safe.
The procedure takes less than 10 minutes and does not require stitches or bandages. There is also very little bleeding.
Those who use this method can continue with their daily routine, including performing prayers, taking showers and attending school.
Najib said the government was prepared to cooperate with the company to expand its services to rural areas, especially locations that were inaccessible to doctors.
He received thunderous applause when he proposed that the mass circumcision ceremony, which was organised by the Pekan Umno Division Religious Bureau, be held on a larger scale next year, so that it could be listed in the Malaysia Book of Records.
Before arriving at the ceremony, Najib surprised customers at a nasi dagang stall in Ubai near here, when he and his entourage stopped at the wooden stall along Jalan Kuantan-Pekan for breakfast.
Najib’s presence at the stall was greeted with joy. Many customers, including the waiters, whipped out their camera phones to capture the moment.
Later, in his speech at the convention hall, Najib said the opportunity to mingle with the villagers during breakfast was priceless, as it had given him personal satisfaction.
“It is a good feeling, stopping by a roadside stall for a meal and getting close with the villagers. As a politician, these moments are special.”
After the circumcision ceremony, Najib visited an old friend, Datuk Dr Abdul Manaf Abdullah, 72, in Kampung Mengkasar near here.
Manaf had previously served as Kuala Pahang assemblyman for two terms.
-NST
