1MALAYSIA CONCEPT WILL NOT UNDERMINE MALAY INTERESTS, SAYS MINISTER

SEREMBAN (Malaysia), May 20 (Bernama) -- The 1Malaysia concept introduced by
Prime Minister Najib Razak will not undermine the interests of the Malays and
the position of Bahasa Malaysia as the national language, Information,
Communications and Culture Minister Dr Rais Yatim said Wednesday.

He said there was no reason for the people to be confused about or reject
the concept.

"The concept does not contain anything which can lead to undesirable
matters; it emphasises unity, it promotes harmony, it encourages productivity,"
he told reporters after a post-Cabinet meeting in this southern city Wednesday.

The question of the concept was raised because some Malays were confused
over the "Malaysian Malaysia" concept advocated by the DAP at one time.

They saw the 1Malaysia concept of Najib as the first step towards providing
for equal rights among all the communities with the objective of winning back
the support of the Chinese and Indians.

Dr Rais said the concept did not change the special privileges of the Malays
in Article 153 of the constitution or alter the position of the Malay language
in Article 152.

"It only brings about a continuation of the values of the nation's
struggles. Now, it is up to us whether to contribute to its success or avoid
involvement," he said.

On another matter, Dr Rais asked the people to be patient for another month
or so to see changes by his ministry with regard to radio and television
programmes or films.

The programmes to be broadcast from now on would contribute to development
of the nation-state but would have commercial value and be interesting to
follow, he said.

This was being undertaken after the ministry had set up a special panel to
adapt imported television programmes or films for the country, he said, and
invited the private sector to join the panel.
-- BERNAMA