SIKH COMMUNITY'S CONTRIBUTION IS SIGNIFICANT, SAYS PM

KUALA LUMPUR, April 14 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Sikh community's
contribution to the history and development of the country is very important and
significant, Prime Minister Najib Razak said Tuesday.

Najib said that although the Sikh community was relatively small, in the
region of 100,000 people, they had served the country well.

He said they had served as members of the security forces such as in the
police and armed forces, in professional fields as doctors and lawyers, and also

entrepreneurs and ordinary citizens.

"So I wish to thank the Sikh community for all that they have done (for the
country). You have indeed contributed much to the development of Malaysia and I
hope you will be with us in future as we develop Malaysia," he said at the Sikh
community's Vaisakhi (New Year) celebrations here Tuesday.

Thanking the Sikh community for the warm welcome, he said he was happy to be
able to share the joyous occasion with them.

"I have decided to visit you today because I want to show and indicate very
clearly that this government stands for all communities...all races and all
religions. I want to underscore that I am the leader and I am the Prime Minister
for all communities. My presence here is also to recognise the contribution of
the Sikh community in the development of Malaysia," he said to applause from the
2,000-odd crowd.

Najib said he introduced the "One Malaysia" concept as he believed that if
all Malaysians stood and worked together and be one family and one team, "we can
indeed make Malaysia a stronger and more prosperous nation, based on the
principles of trust and mutual respect among all communities in Malaysia".

"That is the essence of what One Malaysia is all about," he said.

Najib said Malaysians must break down the barriers between them and must
not look at each other on the prism of skin or colour.

"We must help one another. Whether a person comes from whatever community
... if the person deserves help, then that person should and must be
helped by all of us.

"If we have this attitude, Malaysia will be a much stronger and united
nation as we move forward, facing the challenges of the 21st century," he said.

Najib said he only informed the hosts yesterday evening about his visit
because he did not want all the pomp.

"Because I don't want all the pomp...I don't want bunga manggar. I just want
to be one of you in a natural way to see you taking part in your daily
activities, so that I can better understand your aspirations and the hopes of
the Sikh community and of course all the other communities in Malaysia.

"That is the approach I have intended for this government and for this
Cabinet and I hope you will be together with us in the journey of making
Malaysia a more prosperous and successful nation," he said.

Najib said he enjoyed the breakfast of Sikh traditional food such as prata,
pakoda and barfi (sweets) which he had with Minister in the Prime Minister's
Department Dr Koh Tsu Koon and the Federal Territories Minister Raja Nong Chik
Raja Zainal Abidin and the local community.

Meanwhile, the acting president of the Tatt Khalsa, Rejinder Singh, said the
Sikh community was honoured to have the prime minister at their Vaisakhi
celebrations.

He said Najib told them to see him or Dr Koh directly if the community have
any problems or matters which needed the attention of the government.

"We appreciate this because although we are only a small minority the
prime minister has shown concern for us," he said.

Najib is the third prime minister to visit the Tatt Khalsa, after Tunku
Abdul Rahman Putra Al-haj and Hussein Onn.
-- BERNAMA