The practice of sharing is the best concept for multi-racial Malaysia and that it should be maintained, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said yesterday, Bernama reported.

He said the concept has long been practised in the country through power-sharing since independence, besides the sharing of wealth that has enabled Malaysia to become a peaceful and progressive country.

NONE “We also share celebrations... other races join together in celebrating the Chinese New Year. If we want to achieve our maximum potential, the concept (of sharing) which is unique to Malaysia must be maintained,” he said at the Malaysia Chinese New Year Open House 2013 in Puchong, near Kuala Lumpur, last night.

Najib also reminded the people that extremist tendencies or “choosing to go one’s own way” cannot be practised in a multi-racial country.

The celebration which was attended by almost 50,000 people was also attended by the prime minsiter’s wife, Rosmah Mansor.

Present were MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek, Information Communications and Culture Minister Dr Rais Yatim, Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai, Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen, Transport Minister Kong Cho Ha, Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Noh Omar and Rural and Regional Development Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal.

NONE Commenting further on the concept of sharing, Najib said: “If we are willing to share our success and stay united in facing all challenges and problems together, then Malaysia will become a successful country.”

He said the Chinese community in the country were famous for being diligent and hard-working which had led many of them to success.

However, he said the success was also due to the government’s efforts in providing comfortable environment that enable them to create continuous success stories.

The prime minister also expressed hope that Malaysia would also create more success in this new lunar year.

‘Planning, focus and discipline’

“What captures my attention is that continuous development can only be achieved if we give more attention, have proper planning, focus and discipline,” he said.

The prime minister said everything that had been done by the government over the past four years, including the Government Transformation Programme and Economic Transformation Programme, were proof of systematic planning and focus towards success.

“Development cannot be achieved in a blink of an eye, it doesn’t come easy... it begins with proper planning and a clear road map towards the future of the country,” he said.

Najib also said that the Barisan Nasional (BN) government had created major success within the past four years.

“If the BN government had not progressed, had not given the chances, had not implemented the right policies... the people, no matter how hard working and business-savvy they are, will not succeed.

“It takes two to tango,” he added.

Najib also led the crowd in shouting the slogans “I am for you” and “1Malaysia” three times.

Najib and his wife visited a Chinese family yesterday at Batu 14, Puchong and a night market nearby, before joining the celebration.

400 artistes and 40 lion dances

The official celebration was organised by the Information, Communication and Culture Ministry and  is said to be the biggest of its kind, with 400 artistes and performers and 40 lion dances.

Among the performers were Gary Chaw, a Sabahan who came to fame in Taiwan, Shila Amzah, the winner of Asian Wave 2012, Daniel Lee, Jamal Abdillah and Cheryl Koh.

 

NONE With private companies’ sponsorship, the organisors also held a “lucrative” lucky draw, the prizes for which included a 1.3 litre Proton Saga FLX auto, three Modenas motorcycles and 10 handphones.The car went to a 20-year-old university student.

Others performance included Sichuan ‘ bianlian ’ (mask changing), cultural dances, a lion dance in ‘Gangnam Style’ and three rounds of fireworks.

The event attracted more than 15,000 people who came to celebrate the seventh day of Chinese New Year which is said to be the birthday of all human beings.

The ministry claimed 50,000 has attended the celebration.

Despite being an official celebration, Chua Soi Lek in his speech bashed Pakatan by saying it has no common ideology and has yet to come out with its economic plans, adding that some have said uncertainty might occur if Pakatan were to rule the country.

“He (Najib) has beeen prime minister for three years, he is a familiar face to the rakyat, I dare to say, (the rakyat) should have confidence in him,” he said.

He said Najib is the most people friendly and hard-working premier since Independence.

Without naming PAS president Hadi Awang and PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, Chua said compared with Pakatan’s two future premier candidates, Najib is more trustworthy.