The prime minister used a Christmas Day gathering to defend the concept after the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) Selangor government banned billboard ads with 1 Malaysia for allegedly breaching local council rules.
“Gatherings such as this are a reflection of 1Malaysia where we are able to come together for a single purpose of demonstrating unity and togetherness. After all that is the raison d’etre and rational for the clarion call of 1 Malaysia," he said at the Christmas Day tea party organised by the Christian Federation of Malaysia.
“Although some might like to think it is for a political purpose but actually it is for nation-building. It is for us to come together and feel that we belong to one nation, one people with one vision and that is for us to march forward together to develop a truly prosperous harmonious and successful 21st century nation,” he added.
Najib said the message of Christmas is not only for its followers but for all Malaysians.
“Religion teaches us to be tolerant, caring and respectful of the beliefs and practices of others. In our multi-racial society, we must constantly remind ourselves of the values that bind us together. We are bound by our common destiny. We are bound by our common heritage. We are bound by our need to forge ahead as one nation to face the challenges that lie ahead.
“Let us not forget the message of Christmas which is of peace, hope, charity, love and goodwill towards all men. This message is not only for Christians. This message is for all people,” the prime minister said.
The Star daily had reported that state housing and local government committee chief, Ronnie Liu calling the 1 Malaysia billboard ads were a political message from the Barisan Nasional (BN) federal government and were not allowed under local laws.
The prime minister said 1 Malaysia is a reflection of the country’s multi-cultural and religious society.
He also warned the public to not be influenced by small groups that want to undermine the country’s nation building.
“Our forefathers saw the need for tolerance, understanding and unity. These values are equally, if not more, important in today’s context when suspicion, wild accusations and distortions are circulated as universal truths. The behavior of a small group may undermine efforts to build a united nation based on trust and tolerance,” he said.
The relationship between the Muslim and non-Muslim communities appear to have soured further after YouTube videos of two preachers — one belittling Islam and the other, Buddhism as well as traditional Chinese beliefs — went viral on local political blogs. Last October, a video of a Malay Christian convert accused of insulting Islam — Malaysia’s official religion and one held by some 60 per cent of the population — in a Sarawak church six years ago, created an uproar among Muslims after it was highlighted by a Malay-Muslim blogger.
Najib said that unity and stability is important for the country’s economic development.
“All our developments, achievements and plans will come to naught if there is no peace, stability and unity in the country. History is full of examples of communities, societies and nation-states that did not survive because there was no unity. Unity is the cornerstone of a nation’s progress. And together as a united force, Malaysia can achieve even greater heights and levels of development,” he said.
He was also confident that the country will able to become a high-income nation.
“With respect to the economic transformation programme, I am delighted to say that economy is not only back on track but we are on the right trajectory towards achieving our aspiration of a fully developed and high-income nation.
“Foreign direct investments in the first nine months of this year rose to RM17.1 billion compared with just RM5 billion for the whole of last year. Having achieved an average of 8.1 per cent GDP growth from January to September this year, the economy is on track to register a growth of about 7 per cent for the whole year,” he said.
The Malaysian Insider reported today that the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) is considering snap polls in the second quarter of 2011, contrary to speculation that the 13th general election could be held during the March school holidays.
It is understood that Najib wants to see more results from the policies that he had introduced before calling for an election.
Umno also has toned down its race rhetoric while a BN convention was held recently to chart the ruling coalition’s strategies ahead of elections. - Malaysian Insider
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