KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 5 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak turned to Malaysians today, asking citizens to share their ideas, concerns and needs, as he seeks to advance the concept of 1Malaysia which he touted as his brainchild.
With the re-launch of the website 1malaysia.com.my, Najib said Malaysians can now contribute to government policies as it is not the sole government’s duty to strengthen the concept of 1Malaysia.
“That is why 1Malaysia.com.my has been invigorated, with a more interactive experience to encourage everyone to participate,” Najib wrote in his new personal blog, NajibRazak.com, which now hosts the old content of the 1Malaysia website.
“This is your platform to play a proactive role in Malaysia’s development path — regardless of race, religion, or politics.”
Najib said he has been touched by the public’s feedback, encouragement, and constructive criticism ever since he started engaging Malaysians directly through the Internet.
The Pekan MP also reminded Malaysians to unite in solidarity following a sorrowful year for the country which included the double aviation tragedies of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 and MH17.
“I believe that in order for us to fully benefit from what is undoubtedly our source of strength, we must come together as one, and build upon our common values and beliefs to achieve our common goal as one nation,” added Najib.
Najib’s call for public feedback and solidarity today comes as the rift among Malaysians grows wider, even as the country gears up to celebrate its 51st year as an independent nation founded on September 15, 1963.
A recent spate of sedition onslaught has divided public opinion following charges against opposition lawmakers, an academic and a journalist, despite Najib promising to repeal it and replace it with the National Harmony Act twice in 2012 and last year.
The prime minister reiterated his pledge again today.
Talk also has been rife with an underground secessionist movement among the people of Sabah and Sarawak, fuelled by increasing disenchantment against the Barisan Nasional ruling coalition centralised in Putrajaya.
Malaysia is also currently grappling with an intractable religious conflict between Muslims and Christians over “Allah”, the Arabic word for God, which was exacerbated by the seizure of Malay and Iban language bibles by the Selangor religious authorities.
The independent body National Unity and Consultative Council has proposed three laws outlawing hate speech and discrimination, but is opposed right wing government supporters who claimed the proposed laws will undermine the rights of Malays and Muslims.
