1Malaysia Concept Taking Root In The Society, Says Prime Minister

1Malaysia Theme song

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KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 (Bernama) -- The 1Malaysia concept is beginning to take root in Malaysia's multi-ethnic society, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He said Malaysia was also on the right path in its efforts to foster a multicultural society over more than five decades.

"But the very fact that we have walked so far and progressed so much means that we have got it right.

"I tend to build on this, what my predecessors had built, and plan to take it further," he said in a recorded interview on CNN's TalkAsia aired Wednesday night.

He said that under the 1Malaysia concept, the government was striving to be inclusive in reaching out to all the people.

"I am a great believer that it (multiculturalism) is working. In spite of the huge diversity in Malaysia in terms of religion, culture and race, we have really gone very far in developing this country," he said.

Najib said he was also confident that the ambition to transform Malaysia into a high-income nation was achievable.

He said that under the New Economic Model and the Government Transformation Programme, the government was committed and had outlined specific provisions to help the low-income group, which consisted of 40 per cent of the population, to improve their socio-economic status regardless of ethnicity.

On the issue of conservatism, Najib was also asked by the anchor Anna Coren about the many performers from the West who had to adhere to a strict dress code when performing in Muslim-majority Malaysia despite its citizens being free to view channels such as MTV.

Najib replied: "It is not that we want to censor what comes out on TV or the Internet, but when it comes to public presentations, we try to strike a middle ground so that the performance can take place in the country.

"To make sure they tone down a bit so as not to upset the sensitivities of certain elements of the society. In that sense, Malaysia is pretty good. In some Muslim countries, this is not even allowed."

Asked about the upcoming election in Myanmar, Najib said he hoped that the election would be conducted in a more open and inclusive manner.

We can't influence the government in a way for it to move as fast as we like, but at least they are moving in a certain more positive direction, he said.
source: BERNAMA