Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said the 1Malaysia concept is nothing unusual as it is a continuation of the concepts to strengthen solidarity among the people which had been introduced by past leaders.

mic election 120909 najib The prime minister said that previously, national leaders had introduced various concepts which emphasised on national solidarity because it represented the 'main pillar' that could ensure Malaysia's success as a nation.

"This (national solidarity) had been emphasised since the era of Onn Jaafar as the founder of Umno, and (first prime minister) Tunku Abdul Rahman. In fact, every prime minister had always emphasised on the importance of building a nation that was united.

"So, what I'm doing now (introducing 1Malaysia) is not unusual but continuing the practice of the past leaders," he said in his speech at the 1Malaysia Aidilfitri Open House at Bandar Tun Razak in Kuala Lumpur today.

The open house, which was attended by more than 5,000 residents of Bandar Tun Razak, was also attended by the prime minister's wife, Rosmah Mansor and Cheras Umno division head Syed Ali Alhabshee.

People have accepted it

Najib said that as a multi-racial and multi-religious country, the concept of solidarity certainly could not be ignored or treated lightly because it could pose a problem and destroy the inter-racial ties that had been nurtured all this while.

"My predecessors had emphasised on national solidarity as one of the main pillars that would ensure Malaysia's success and survival," he said.

He believed that if the 1Malaysia concept were understood and appreciated, whatever differences there were between the people could be resolved amicably and would not pose a problem.

"When I took over (the post of prime minister), the question of solidarity had to be attended to and strengthened," he said.

He said that since the 1Malaysia concept was introduced, the people had begun to accept the concept which aimed to bring wealth to the nation.

- Bernama