Deputy Transport Minister Abdul Rahim Bakri has urged the people to reject extremist and chauvinist groups and deny them the opportunity to make inroads in the country.

Abdul Rahim, who is Member of Parliament for Kudat, said this was necessary to maintain unity among the country's various racial and religious communities.

"The people must be wise and put national interests above everything else to ensure continued peace and progress in the country," he said when launching the Kaamatan festival in Kampung Pinggan-Pinggan, near Pitas today.

The deputy minister said he was happy to see that the celebration was not confined to the Kadazandusun community as other communities in Sabah celebrated the event as well.

"This shows that Sabahans are committed to the 1Malaysia concept introduced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak," he added.

- Bernama

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