MALAYSIA ACTIVITIES AT STATE LEVEL THROUGHOUT NEXT YEAR

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 4 (Bernama) -- Activities to popularise the 1Malaysia concept
nationwide will involve government agencies and the private sector and will be
held at state level throughout next year, Information Communication and Culture
Minister Dr Rais Yatim said Friday.

"I will hold two meetings in a month related to the flagship programmes in
the states and we will implement the activities throughout next year," he told
reporters here.

Dr Rais said that in launching these activities, this year's Christmas would
be referred to as 1Malaysia Christmas.

"We will incorporate the essence of 1Malaysia into some of our festivals so
that the concept gets to be appreciated by the people in their daily life and
association," he said.

Dr Rais said the ministry had received positive feedback on the acceptance
of the 1Malaysia concept, and a report on it would be submitted to the Cabinet
before Jan 15.

"The achievement has been most encouraging. The data shows that not less
than 70 per cent of the 10,000 respondents have accepted the concept and regard
it as a national struggle," he said.

Dr Rais said the ministry would also carry out a campaign to encourage the
people to wear batik attire based on the 1Malaysia concept.

He said the emphasis would be on cotton batik which was more suitable for
the country's weather and working conditions, adding that this fashion would be
promoted to make it attractive and affordable.

-- BERNAMA