UNITY GOVT DOESN'T GO AGAINST 1MALAYSIA CONCEPT

KUALA LUMPUR, June 25 (Bernama) -- The idea on the formation of the unity
government does not go against the 1Malaysia concept as the interests of the
non-Muslims in the country are not ignored, said Najib Razak.

The Malaysian Prime Minister said that under the unity government, the
non-Muslims certainly had a role to play in the government and their interests
would always be protected.

"This (unity government) is beyond politics. It is a question of nationhood.
It involves the interests of all of us," he said at a media conference after
opening the National Baitulmal (Islamic treasury) Convention 2009 at the Federal
Territory Mosque, Jalan Duta, here.

Najib said this when asked to comment on the disappointment and regrets
expressed by several academicians and Malay non-governmental organisations
(NGOs) when the unity government that was proposed for the sake of Malay
solidarity was eventually aborted.

Responding to the question, he said most of the Muslims shared the same
opinion in the matter because it was the obligation of Muslims to work towards
solidarity and protect the interests of the Muslims.

The opposition pact which held a meeting on Monday had decided to reject
the idea on the formation of the unity government but at the same time, it was
prepared to meet with the Barisan Nasional (BN) to discuss issues of national
interest.

Asked on the opposition's claim that the unity government issue was Umno's
political game, Najib said how could the issue be said to be a political game of
Umno whereas the proposal came from PAS itself.

"Even within PAS, there are various opinions. The view may not necessarily
be that of the PAS top leadership's because there are groups who agreed while
others did not.

"So, we can't say that the opinion carried in the PAS meeting was that of
the top party leadership's or the opinion of the majority of the PAS
members...It could be the opinion of only one or two leaders in PAS," he added.

-- BERNAMA