JERANTUT: Malaysia has placed 29th out of 163 countries in the 2017 Global Peace Index (GPI), moving up one spot from 30th last year.
"This shows that… (there is) a drop in criminal cases or violence that can undermine peace and harmony among the people.
"(It is also) proven in a study published by the Institute of Economics and Peace (IEP), aimed at measuring peace at the global level," Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Joseph Kurup said in response to the GPI.
He was speaking at a media conference after launching the state-level Merdeka Month and Unity Week here yesterday.
Joseph said the country's stability is attributable to its multiracial society, which loves peace and opposes incidents that could disrupt its harmonious way of life.
"Our society likes to live in a harmonious environment, (values) respect for one another, and (wants to) develop the country's economy together," he said.
Joseph said in conjunction with Merdeka month, he hopes that the people would fly the Jalur Gemilang in a show of love for the country.
"This is the time for us to show our love and loyalty for our sovereign and independent nation," he added. — BERNAMA