KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 9 — Malaysia is a country which is a model of unity which gives balanced rights to its plural society, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The deputy prime minister said the balance could be seen in the freedom of all races to practise their own religions and cultures, as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

“The minority groups do not need to feel threatened or afraid of losing their identity.

“In conjunction with Deepavali 2015, let us close ranks and let inter-racial unity be the pillar of national development,” he said in his Deepavali message today.

He also reminded the people not to depend solely on social media which could ultimately affect relations between the races in this country.

Ahmad Zahid said Malaysians must believe that the different races, religions and languages had made Malaysian society rich in culture.

He said the differences were a unifying factor for Malaysians, through ‘unity in diversity’. — Bernama