1MALAYSIA CONCEPT NOT UNUSUAL, SAYS PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Najib Razak said the 1Malaysia concept is nothing unusual as it is a continuation of the concepts to strengthen solidarity among the people which had been introduced by past leaders.

The Prime Minister said that previously, national leaders had introduced
various concepts which emphasised on national solidarity because it represented
the 'main pillar' that could ensure Malaysia's success as a nation.

"This (national solidarity) had been emphasised since the era of Datuk Onn
Jaafar as the founder of Umno, and (first Prime Minister) Tunku Abdul Rahman. In
fact, every Prime Minister had always emphasised on the importance of building a
nation that was united.

"So, what I'm doing now (introducing 1Malaysia) is not unusual but
continuing the practice of the past leaders," he said in his speech at the
1Malaysia Eid Al-fitr Open House here Sunday.

Najib said that as a multi-racial and multi-religious country, the concept
of solidarity certainly could not be ignored or treated lightly because it could
pose a problem and destroy the inter-racial ties that had been nurtured all this
while.

"My predecessors had emphasised on national solidarity as one of the main
pillars that would ensure Malaysia's success and survival," he said.

He believed that if the 1Malaysia concept were understood and appreciated,
whatever differences there were between the people could be resolved amicably
and would not pose a problem.

"When I took over (the post of Prime Minister), the question of solidarity
had to be attended to and strengthened," he said.

He said that since the 1Malaysia concept was introduced, the people had
begun to accept the concept which aimed to bring wealth to the nation.
-- BERNAMA