FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS REFLECT CLOSENESS AND SOLIDARITY, SAYS PM

KUALA LUMPUR, May 30 (Bernama) -- Najib Razak said the festivals
in Malaysia like Kaamatan and Gawai not only honoured the heritage and culture
of the various ethnic groups, but also reflected their closeness and solidarity
through sharing of positive values and beliefs.

In his message in conjunction with Tadau Kaamatan (Harvest Festival)
celebrated by the Kadazandusun of Sabah and Federal Territory of Labuan this
weekend and then Hari Gawai by Sarawak's Dayak or Iban communities, the prime
minister said it was always exciting to be part of these activities, whether in
the colourful parades or rituals.

"It is truly a delightful sight as the celebrations go by days and nights,
a true reflection of unity through diversity that is well and alive in Sabah and
Sarawak, both East Malaysia states.

"I suggest that all of us ponder on what we can accomplish further in the
spirit of 1Malaysia.


"Wherever we are, we must accept and embrace our friends of different races
and participate together in the activities we carry out regularly, let it be the
morning jogs or the lunch hours we have during work," Najib said in his blogsite
www.1malaysia.com.my.


The culmination of the month-long Tadau Kaamatan celebrations will be this
Saturday and Sunday while Hari Gawai will be celebrated on June 1 and 2.

Najib said over the years, the people had seen these time-honoured
traditions grow in significance and celebrated even outside the states.

He said although he wished he could participate in these festivities, he
would be attending the Asean-Korean Summit in South Korea on June 1-2 to foster
Malaysia's regional cooperation and then on to China to further cement
Malaysia-China bilateral relations.

"To the Kadazandusun, Murut, Iban, Bidayuh and other East Malaysian ethnic
groups, I wish you all a wonderful Kaamatan and Gawai," he said.

-- BERNAMA