KUALA LUMPUR: The strong unity and empathy of Malaysians have been brought to the fore in facing challenges like the Covid-19 pandemic, said Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Commending the people, he said everyone, in particular, frontliners, has shown great empathy to others, regardless of race and religion, and this should be further strengthened in the community.
"With the slogan '#KitaJagaKita', the people have assisted the government in spreading positive messages, supporting the Movement Control Order's (MCO) efforts and adhering to the SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) set.
"We must continue nurturing this empathic attitude as we view racial issues in a more balanced and holistic perspective. As with other multi-racial countries, we would sometimes look at issues from a certain race or group's perspective.
"This perspective needs to be rectified to make it more balanced and holistic and must be instilled through the education system and media.
"Apart from that, we must be cautious of racial sentiment manipulation by politicians. This poses a major challenge in almost all multi-racial countries. (We) must steer away from politicians who strive to gain political mileage through racial sentiments," he said while launching the National Unity Policy and National Unity Blueprint 2021-2030.
He said Malaysians would not sacrifice social integration and national unity for personal gain; while the government would not compromise in matters that could disrupt national unity.
Describing Malaysians as agents of unity, Muhyiddin called on all to support the policy and continued aspiration in moving forward.
"Unity is the desire of all countries in the world. Malaysia's image as a country with people of multiple ethnicities, religions and cultures has often (been seen as) an example. Despite the differences, competitions and conflicts, the social integration that has existed for so long has sustained unity to this day, spurring other countries to learn from us.
"The quest for unity is a journey, not a destination. Hence, it is important to continue reflecting on our resolve and enhance efforts so that Malaysia remains a country with a solid unified foundation not only for the current generation, but for the future of our children," he said.
Muhyiddin said the policy, themed Unity in Diversity, has three main objectives, which are to strengthen unity and national integration based on the Federal Constitution and Rukun Negara; building national identity with a sense of self, patriotism, compassion, tolerance and being responsible towards and respectful of each other; and producing Malaysians who appreciate and practise unity.
He said this is in line with the country's main policies, like the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030.
"I pray that our country will continue to prosper and remain strong as a united and harmonious nation. Nurture and strengthen unity in diversity that we have had thus far," he added.
National Unity Minister Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique earlier said the documents were prepared based on feedback from the public, the private sector, non-governmental organisations, and government staff nationwide, with its strategic core in line with the principles of the Rukun Negara.
It comprises strategies and indicators, among others, aimed at instilling, measuring and maintaining unity among the people.
"The National Unity agenda is our joint agenda and it is the responsibility of all Malaysians to make unity a 'kebiasaan' (norm)," she said.
The launch was broadcast live on the National Unity Ministry's Facebook page and RTM's TV1.