The government must adopt a new, more radical approach to ensure that services provided to the people are not compromised, National Unity and Integration Department director-general Baharin Idris said today.

Baharin said 2019 would be a more challenging year, especially with the current state of the country’s financial status and society’s changing landscape, with more transparency and independence, giving rise to differences in ideologies and opinions.

“If the independence is not managed responsibly, it will invite threats and provocations which can affect public order and harmony,” he said in his 2019 New Year message on the department’s Facebook page here today.

“So I urge staff of the National Unity and Integration Department, Rukun Tetangga members and all communities to work together to preserve the unity and spread muhibbah among people of the various races in the country,” he added.