NO SINGLE MALAYSIAN RACE CAN HAVE ALL THEY WANT, SAYS DR MAHATHIR

MUKAH (Sarawak, Malaysia) April 15 (Bernama) -- In a multiracial country
like Malaysia, no single race can get 100 per cent of their rights fulfilled,
says former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

"It is very important for the people to understand and accept the fact that
we cannot get all our demands.

"We need to sacrifice some of our rights to accommodate others in order to
create a peaceful and stable society for greater development, progress and
prosperity," he said when speaking at the "Berambeh Jegem (Get-Together) with
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad" event, here, Friday.

Also present were Chief Minister of the east Malaysian state of Sarawak
Abdul Taib Mahmud and wife Ragad Kurdi Taib. Abdul Taib is defending his
Balingian seat in the state election Saturday.

A large crowd of about 3,000 people turned up at the Kingwood Resort where
Dr Mahathir attended the function.

The former premier also talked at length on the need to have a strong,
formidable and responsible government to create jobs and business opportunities
to enable the people to earn regular income and enjoy a better living standard.

"This had been and is the policy of the government of Malaysia under past
prime ministers Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, Tun Abdul Razak, Tun Hussein
Onn, myself, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and current Prime Minister Datuk Seri
Najib Tun Razak," he said.

Dr Mahathir called on all Malaysians, particularly Sarawakians, to be
knowledgeable and wise in discharging their democratic rights to safeguard the
peace, unity and harmony prevalent among Malaysians.

He also reminded Malaysians to refrain from being confrontational but to be
tolerant and accommodative as the country moved forward to become a developed
nation in the near future.

Dr Mahathir said the poor distribution of wealth in Africa and Middle
Eastern countries was the main cause of unhappiness and dissatisfaction among
the poor and ordinary people.

He praised Najib's leadership, saying he had full confidence in him.

He said Najib should be supported by all Malaysians, irrespective of race,
creed and faith.