Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has called on the people to recognise and respect the rights of others in order to create a broad interracial support in developing the country.

He said the people should look towards the future and see the success of the country and not be perturbed by criticisms levelled by others.

"The Indian community, although only about 10 to 11 percent (of the country's population), should be given the support and encouragement. So do the Chinese, although only about 20 percent, we should similarly support them.

"The Malays and the natives of Sabah and Sarawak should also be respected. We cannot be successful without us discharging our responsibilities together," he said in his speech at the Malaysia Deepavali Open House 2010 at Taman Keladi in Sungai Petani today.

His text of speech was read by Information Communication and Culture Minister Dr Rais Yatim.

Muhyiddin said the people should respect all cultures in the country, irrespective of their race.

"I believe that through arts and culture we can achieve many things, one of which is unity. The Malays should understand the cultures of the Chinese and Indians. The same goes to the Chinese and Indians who should similarly understand the cultures of others," he said.

Promoting creative industry

Muhyiddin pointed out that the cabinet yesterday approved the proposal paper for the country's creative industry.

"Through this initiative, all communities will have the opportunity to promote their cultures," he said.

He said that during the recent floods in Kedah, all communities in the country came together to assist the victims.

"We should continue to do this," he said, adding that it was also important to impress upon the younger generation on the importance of staying united.

"In Malaysia, we are becoming more and more united as we go along," he said.

Meanwhile, Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam, in his speech, representing the Indian community, said the government had been striving to assist the community.

"Thank you, prime minister and deputy prime minister, for listening to the problems of all communities in the country," he said.

About 30,000 attended the open house.

Earlier Rais visited six Indian families in Taman Keladi and handed over donations in cash and kind including sari, dhoti and 1Malaysia laptop computers.

- Bernama