KUALA LUMPUR: Harmony and tolerance are the most important criteria that must be nurtured to become the foundation and pillar of a strong, credible and respected Malaysia, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
He said without harmony and tolerance, development efforts could not be implemented effectively as people would be clawing against one another, thus destroying the prosperity achieved since independence.
“We have to acknowledge and give due recognition to government efforts in developing the country and meet wide-ranging needs of the people. The task is not easy and demands commitment and sacrifices,” he said in his message in conjunction with the golden jubilee of the formation of Malaysia today.
Muhyiddin said since the era of the Father of Independence Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-haj till today, the government had never neglected the rights of the people irrespective of race or religion.
He said the Federal Constitution became the foundation and guidance to ensure that the people’s rights were not brushed aside, and the government implemented various initiatives and programmes to cater to the needs of the people physically or spiritually.
Hence, Muhyiddin urged Malaysians to be grateful for all the things blessed on them.
“As a matter of fact, without contributions and participation of all communities in Malaysia, we will not be able to enjoy what we have achieved so far,” he said.
He said it was also important to ensure that the strong bonding between the people and the government would persist to enable Malaysia to achieve greater progress and glory.
Muhyiddin, who is also education minister, said by being steadfast and intelligent, the people would not fall prey to the trickery of irresponsible quarters.
He said through policies and programmes, including the most recent Bumiputera Economic Empowerment, the government gave ample opportunities without boundaries to Malaysians, including Sabahans and Sarawakians.
On the significant of the 50th Malaysia Day celebration, he said it was a unification of states in the peninsula with Sabah and Sarawak to build a unique, harmonious and booming Malaysia.
“History has proven that efforts to unify Sabah and Sarawak with the peninsula were based on genuine desire by leaders of yesteryears to see Malaysia moves in tandem to fill the pulse of development,” he said.
He said people solidarity under the banner of Malaysia would highlight the uniqueness and diversity of the populace, turning it into an attractive destination that won admiration from international community. — Bernama