Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has sought to debunk perceptions among people outside the country that Malaysia is not stable due to issues involving race.

Describing such a notion as baseless, he said unity and tolerance were very much entrenched in the society and this could be seen from the presence of thousands of people from all walks of life at open houses held in conjunction with the Aidilfitri.

muhyiddin yassin pc 040509 01 "Those who perceive Malaysia to be facing stability issue are people who don't understand the actual situation in the country," he said when met at an open house hosted by him in Pagoh, Johor today.

He added that foreign guests who attended the open house at Seri Perdana yesterday were all praise for the spirit of friendship shown by Malaysians irrespective of race or religion.

He also said that it was important for the people to maintain friendship at all times not just during festive seasons.

Muhyiddin said that the country's cultural diversity was a unique feature as it had become a source of strength for Malaysia in line with the 1Malaysia concept mooted by Prime Minister Najib Razak.

No decision yet on Bagan Pinang candidate

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin, who is Umno deputy president, was asked on the meeting between the party's management committee and Negeri Sembilan Umno liaison committee recently.

He said the meeting only touched on the strategies for the Bagan Pinang by-election in Negeri Sembilan on Oct 11 and not the possible candidacy of former Menteri Besar Isa Samad.

He said the candidate would be announced during a Hari Raya event on Sept 29.

"We will take into consideration the views of all. The important thing is we want a candidate who has the calibre and respected by the voters," he said.

Some 20,000 people attended the open house at the Kompleks Seri Pekembar, in Pagoh, among them MCA president Ong Tee Keat and former Health Minister Chua Soi Lek.

- Bernama