KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia approach to achieve national unity must be inclusive to ensure that no one is left out, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Najib said the country needed to be certain that the nation’s fruits of success were being shared by everyone.
“When we talk of growth - and the latest figure we have, for the second quarter of this year, was an impressive 4.9 percent - we need to be certain that the fruits of success are being widely shared.
“National unity only becomes truly meaningful if we ensure that no one is left out. Our approach must be inclusive.”
He was delivering his speech at the Enhancing National Unity and Integration Conference held at Magellan Sutera Harbour, here. Present were Minister in the Prime Minister Department Tan Sri Joseph Kurup and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.
As stated in the 11th Malaysia Plan, Najib stressed the federal government was committed to “ensuring everyone, regardless of gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status and geographic location, can live in a truly harmonious and progressive society that bears the mark of an inclusive nation with an advanced economy.”
“This is why the government has placed, and will continue to place, great importance on development in Sabah,” he said, adding the government continued to undertake various projects to improve infrastructures in the state, particularly in rural areas.
Najib said the government were taking these actions because of the importance it places on inclusivity.
Meanwhile, Musa in his speech said the Federal government under the leadership of Najib has been attentive to the needs of Sabah people in terms of allocation for much needed projects and programmes for the people's welfare.
“We are mindful that the progress and prosperity we see today is the result of unity, harmony and political stability that we have in Malaysia, and in Sabah.
These are factors that have allowed for Malaysia to remain on the path of success. It is also a fact that Sabah is an important part of and has played its role in nation building.”