40,000 PEOPLE AT NAJIB`S HOMECOMING AS PM

KUANTAN (Malaysia), April 18 (Bernama) -- Najib Razak arrived here, the
capital of Peninsular Malaysia's east coast state of Pahang on Saturday on
his official homecoming as the prime minister, and was greeted by about 40,000
people in a grand welcome at the field of the Kuantan Municipal Council (MPK).

The Kuala Lipis-born Najib, accompanied by his wife Rosmah Mansor, had flown
in from Kuala Lumpur to the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) airbase here in the
prime minister's official aircraft.

They were welcomed by state of Pahang Chief Minister Adnan Yaakob and then
escorted by 56 motorcycle riders to the MPK field, the riders representing the
age of Najib.

At the field, Najib, who was appointed prime minister on April 3, was
welcomed by several Cabinet ministers from the state as well as local leaders.
They included Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob,
Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's
Department S. K. Devamany.

A cultural performance was staged by 620 people, aged 10 to 45 years, from
the various communities including the Orang Asli in a blend of music and dance
themed "One Malaysia" in keeping with the prime minister's slogan for the
country of "1Malaysia. People First. Performance Now."

Addressing the people, Najib said the concept of "1Malaysia. People First.
Performance Now" was not merely a slogan but a continuation of the concepts
introduced by the two prime ministers before him.

He said it was a continuation of the concepts of "Vision 2020" introduced by
Dr Mahathir Mohamad and "Excellence, Glory and Distinction" by Abdullah Ahmad
Badawi.

"The process of getting to our objectives, of getting to our destination
lies in none other than the 1Malaysia, People First, Performance Now concept,"
he said, adding that by adhering to the concept the country would become a
developed nation and the people would achieve excellence, glory and distinction.

Najib said that based on the concept, the focus on development in becoming a
developed nation would be balanced with the needs of the people regardless of
race.

He said, however, that to make a success of the endeavour, the people must
change their mindset to free themselves from the old way of thinking.

Najib said 1Malaysia would be successful if the people helped one another
without questioning the status of their respective race.

The prime minister also reminded Barisan Nasional (National Front or BN)
leaders to change their mindset so that they did not give importance to
positions and power but were sensitive to their surroundings and the current
thinking of the people.
-- BERNAMA