PM Najib's Merdeka speech: Our success due to consensus

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said the independence achieved by the nation since 55 years ago would continue to be intact based on the consensus and cooperation of all quarters.

National unity amid the diversity would remain the pillar of national strength, he said in his message in conjunction with the 55th National Day celebration aired by RTM tonight.

Najib said for 55 years, "we are able to exceed the expectations and predictions of various parties, including from among the citizens themselves, and it is proven, that the prediction that what was won by the founding fathers of the nation peacefully and wisely is incapable of being sustained, much less improved upon, is totally incorrect".

"Clearly, from one point to another, we have succeeded in bringing freedom and peace to a nation which was at one time colonised and threatened," said the prime minister.

Najib said from the aspect of national prosperity, the national economy expanded sustainably with systematic efforts carried out by the government to ensure that peace and prosperity were enjoyed by all.

The prime minister said the implementation of Phase Two of the Government Transformation Programme (GTP 2) had the prospect of boosting the prosperity of the nation to a higher level, and would witness a wider involvement of society, and simultaneously, a more meaningful participation by non-governmental organisations and the corporate sector.

Nevertheless, all efforts and initiatives carried out would be futile if they were not embraced and used by all segments of society, said Najib.

Don't ever jeopardise the harmony

"We are now at a period in time which is monumental for Malaysia. Everywhere, the people can see significant changes not only at the individual stage but also the family and community.

"As such, let us push up Malaysia's image by fulfilling all promises made and realising the potentials we have for the sake of all Malaysians.

"Don't let us destroy what we have nurtured and created. Do not ever jeopardise the harmony of our birthplace which has since long been built," he said.

The prime minister said the success dreamed of by Malaysians was not only in the material sense but holistic, and for this, under the National Transformation Plan, the transformation initiatives not only involved the government through GTP and economy through ETP, but also political and rural transformation.

Najib said, indeed, the brave move of the government in implementing the Political Transformation Programme to balance individual freedom and national security had made democracy in Malaysia healthier and rooted as a culture which became the core of national stability.

"Malaysia is proof and a manifestation of promises and hopes fulfilled," he added.

Najib said in order to understand the truth behind the statement, every citizen of this nation needed to return to its origin in history, whereby in reality, the nation became independent "in the midst of armed rebellion by the Communist Party of Malaya, in an environment where our survival as a multiracial, multi-religious and multi-lingual nation, was looked upon with scepticsm by the world".

We've replaced anxiety with hope

"We have also successfully transformed a low-income agricultural country, where at one time more than half of its populace lived below the poverty line, dependent on several commodities, into a nation with a diversified economy," he said.

In fact, the prime minister said, currently Malaysia had grown into a moderately high-income nation and "being steered fast towards realising its aspiration of becoming a developed and high-income nation by 2020".

"We have replaced anxiety with hope, we have created a nation where what is important is the desire and willingness to work hard.

"Also, where the sons of farmers, smallholders, labourers and fishermen become entreprenuers and professionals. We have created a nation in which the children of Malaysia can have a better future," he said.

Najib said all these, were benefits from very careful planning and ffective implementation by the government which had been given the mandate to administer the country since independence was achieved.

"Regardless, the success achieved is not an excuse for us to rest on our laurels. On the other hand, it should be a catalyst for us to aspire towards a much brighter tomorrow," said Najib, who also wished Happy 55th Independence Day anniversary to all Malaysians.

- Bernama