PM: MALAYSIA OPEN HOUSES EXTRAORDINARY RECOGNITION OF RELIGIOUS CELEBRATIONS

KOTA KINABALU (Malaysia), Dec 29 (Bernama) -- The holding of the Malaysia Open
House events by the federal government is extraordinary recognition of the
various religions that is aimed towards nurturing peace and goodwill among the
people of the country.

Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said holding of the open houses
showed that the government of the day truly wanted to nurture mutual respect
among the followers of religions of the various races.

"Religious celebrations like Christmas is normally marked everywhere centred
around the family. But Malaysia has come up with something unique and different.

"Firstly, a family celebration has been elevated to national level attended
by leaders, a recognition for the various religions practised by Malaysians.

"Secondly, the open house practice has become a cultural value that cuts
across race and religion, a concept that we are willing to receive friends who
visit and celebrate together," Najib said when speaking at the Malaysia
Christmas Open House function in Kota Kinabalu, the capital city of East
Malaysia Sabah state Tuesday.

Najib said the holding of the Malaysia Open House was also aimed at nation
building through sharing of common values in each religion.

"We take the good values of each religion and share them with followers of
other religions.

"All celebrations, like Christmas, stress on universal peace and spread
goodwill without considering race, culture and belief," he said.

He said the celebration of a festival in this country should not be limited
to entertainment but what was more important was to spread the message of peace
and goodwill among the people through the celebration.

About the choice of Sabah for a second time as host for the 2009 Malaysia
Christmas Open House, the Prime Minister said the choice of Merdeka Field here
had special meaning, especially for Sabahans.

"We are holding it at this historical place as this is where history was
created and is meaningful, especiallY for Sabahans, as on Sept 16, 1963 it was
here that Sabah was declared part of Malaysia.

"On this day, at the same place, we mark the Christmas celebration with
goodwill and merriment with all races," he said.

Najib also said the event 46 years ago gave confidence to the government
that the future of Sabah was bright and assured.

-- BERNAMA