Thursday 28 Mar 2024
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KOTA KINABALU (March 3): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said he wanted to make Malaysia one of the top 20 countries in the world in terms of its development, and at the same time ensure that the people live happily.

He said he did not want to see Malaysia's development measured just in terms of per capita income, but wanted the nation's progress to be gauged from the people's happiness.

"To be a happy nation we need to have a society that is so comfortable with each other. If we are in harmony with each other, then we respect and help one another regardless of ethnic background, culture, religion ... and we will have high regards for others who are with us.

"If this is the spirit that we maintain, we will have no problem with the different ethnic groups and look at Malaysia, (for example) we have 250 ethnic groups in Sabah and there has never been any terrible conflict among ourselves," he said.

Najib said this in his speech at the Prime Minister get-together with Sabah Ethnic and Cultural Associations here yesterday.

Also present at the event attended by 67 heads of ethnic groups were Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman and his two deputies Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan and Datuk Seri Yahya Hussin as well as several state cabinet members.

Hence, Najib said the ethnic, race and religious diversity should not prevent the people from being united as the important thing was to have mutual respect for each other.

However, Najib reminded the people to be cautious on the emergence of irresponsible people  especially with the election season coming up, who tried to instigate and manipulate the ethnic groups to cause disunity among the people.

He said these people would incite hatred among people of the various ethnic and racial groups for their personal and political interests.

He added they did not have bigger agendas such as to develop the country to a higher level but only wanted the power to be leaders.

"In choosing a leader to govern the state or country we must not select one with personal ideals. If we were to follow their needs and sentiments we will end up as losers because they will use us according to the situation." 

"Today they say something but tomorrow they will say something else and when they are in power they will say and do something else which make them çonsistently inconsistent. So these kind of people cannot be depended upon at all. We can only put our trust in Barisan Nasional (BN)," he said.

According to Najib, BN had proven its capability to develop the nation, help all races and unite the people in this country to live in harmony.

At the event, Najib also announced a fund of RM10,000 for each ethnic group in Sabah for the respective groups to carry out their activities.
 

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