Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today launched the 1Malaysia Negaraku (1Malaysia MyCountry) icon that combines the 1Malaysia concept and the Negaraku initiative, thus symbolising the consolidation of the message and platform to foster national unity.

Launching the icon at Perdana Putra here in the presence of cabinet ministers, he said the rebranding of the 1Malaysia icon was to avoid confusion among the people who had become familiar with the two concepts.

"Therefore, we agree to combine the two symbols into one national icon so that we do not discard the 1Malaysia concept and focus only on the Negaraku concept as though 1Malaysia does not exist anymore.

"We will continue to champion 1Malaysia.

“We have decided that this is the new icon for our nation, namely 1Malaysia Negaraku,” he said at the launch.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, cabinet ministers including Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak, chief secretary to the government Ali Hamsa and Communications and Multimedia Ministry secretary-general Sharifah Zarah Syed Ahmad were also present at the launch.

Najib said the 1Malaysia concept launched in June 2009 had been accepted as an approach, philosophy, and concept that were most meaningful for Malaysians.

He said 1Malaysia symbolised the desire to achieve national unity through similarities, togetherness, cooperation and mutual respect among the people.

"1Malaysia is not just a concept and a vehicle but is based on key and ancillary values that can form the basis for the process of building a nation state,” he said.

Najib said the journey towards real and meaningful unity took time and had to traverse various challenges and obstacles but with the basic values associated with 1Malaysia, the country would be able to move towards the desired goal.

He explained that the 1Malaysia concept varied from that introduced earlier because it was linked to products and programmes using the 1Malaysia name such as 1Malaysia Clinics, 1Malaysia People’s Shops, 1Malaysia Training Scheme and 1Malaysia People’s Housing Projects.

Najib said the Negaraku initiative launched in March this year received tremendous response from the people.

"When we say Negaraku, we get a warm response because it is so spontaneous. Just say Negaraku and the people will respond with Malaysia,” he said.

Najib said the new icon would be used for this year’s National Day celebration.

"I am confident it will be well-accepted by Malaysians, especially with the excitement and achievement of the SEA Games 2017. I believe it will spur our spirit,” he said.