Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has pledged to uphold a power-sharing government so that no group in the country would be left behind as the country progresses.

"If we work together, there are many more opportunities for people to become successful. We want to achieve Vision 2020.

"This country is not just for some groups but for all groups. We want to (progress) without leaving any group behind," he said to rousing support from his audience.

A Chinese honour

The premier was speaking at a special dinner last night at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil which was jointly organised by five main Barisan Nasional parties - MCA, Gerakan, Sarawak United People's Party (Supp), Sabah Progressive Party (Sapp) and Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) - and more than 30 major Chinese community groups in the country.

Attended by an estimated 20,000 people, the event was however dampened by a downpour which lasted throughout the evening.

Originally scheduled to being at 8:30 pm, the ceremony was pushed back for almost an hour before the diners were served and speeches delivered.

Also speaking at the event was MCA president Ong Ka Ting who praised Abdullah for pledging to improve efficiency and addressing problems of corruption, particularly in the government.

"We know it is a big challenge. We appreciate his efforts to run a government which is honest, fair, moderate, liberal, strong, and sensitive to all communities.

Ong said the Chinese community would uphold the social contract which was agreed upon by the various ethnic communities in the country during the Merdeka period.

"The freedom of religion, freedom to use one's mother tongue, guarantee of basic rights are the fundamental traits of Malaysia's multi-racial society" he said.

On right footing

Earlier, Gerakan president Dr Lim Keng Yaik said the community would continue to support the premier in achieving development goals for the country under Vision 2020.

He said since Abdullah's appointment as the fifth prime minister of the country on Nov 1, the premier has shown commitment to maintain development policies of the BN.

"This will put us on the right footing of modernising our economy and strengthening various weaknesses in order to achieve just and equitable development," he added.

Among other Chinese community leaders present were Supp president Dr George Chan Hong Nam, Sapp president Yong Teck Lee, LDP president Chong Kah Kiat and Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia president Lim Gait Tong.

Several senior cabinet members were also in attendance.