KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has reminded all Malaysians to continue to strongly protect the success in uniting the people of various races, religions and cultures in the country.
The Prime Minister said this was to ensure that harmony and prosperity in Malaysia continued to be preserved for the benefit of the future generation.
“This diversity in the country’s socio-culture is the country’s main asset and must be preserved and expanded under the 1Malaysia concept,” he said in his message in the Malaysia Day souvenir programme to be celebrated in Sarawak today.
In addition, he also called on all Malaysians to look back at the intention and aspirations of past leaders who had acted maturely and with far-sightedness.
He said the success of the past leaders had enabled the people today to enjoy all the progress achieved.
“Let us unite our determination, resolve and move in line with the continuity and survival of Malaysia,” he said.
Recalling the history of the formation of Malaysia, Najib said the people certainly could not deny the role played by past leaders in uniting the Federation of Malaya with Sabah and Sarawak in the Borneo Island.
He said it was to create a new nation besides assisting in speeding up the process of independence for Sabah and Sarawak as well as checking the|influence of communism which was gaining ground then.
“The late Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra together with other leaders from Sabah and Sarawak had reached a consensus to unite the states separated by the South China Sea into a new nation named Malaysia.” Najib said the Malaysia Day celebration on Sept 16 was a continuation to the celebration of Independence Day on Aug 31. — Bernama