The government's multimillion ringgit pay-offs to foreign consultancy firms for "strategic communications" seem to have paid off for the BN if Premier Najib Abdul Razak's multi language glibness and nuggets of philosophy at the ruling coalition's convention in Kuala Lumpur today is any indication.

bn convension 20101205 najib 02 Najib "strategised" the start of his speech by reciting the phrase "1Malaysia" in Malay, Chinese, Indian and in the Bidayuh, Orang Ulu, Kadazan, Dusun, Murut and Iban dialects from Sabah and Sarawak.

Other than a demonstrated familiarity with English and Malay euphemisms which he used frequently, the BN chairperson also peppered his speech with various sayings from the various cultures in Malaysia.

He quoted the Iban's chant "agi idup agi ngelaban" (don't stop fighting) and the Bajau saying, "mangan niak mangan, asal kurung, kurung", (rain or shine, people must stand together).

To top it all off Najib also demonstrated his prowess in Asian and 19th century philosophy.

He quoted a Sung Dynasty saying in Mandarin:

"Xian tian xia zhi you er you, hou tian xia zhi le er le", which roughly translated, means that one must solve the problems of the people before disaster befalls them, one must make the people happy before one can be happy.

Najib also threw in a Tamil saying into the mix. "Yipadai thorkin, yeapadal vehlum," he quoted meaning that if this team cannot win the battle, no other team can.

But the gem in Najib's speech today was his reference to 'manifest destiny' and 'promised future', concepts prevalent in a very young US, enroute to dominating North America and the becoming a global power.

Najib's colourful speech to the 2,340 delegates was no doubt an attempt spread the feeling of inclusiveness into the convention, in honour of his 1Malaysia concept.