Najib illuminates 1Malaysia, denies keris challenge

(NST) Datuk Seri Najib Razak made his 1Malaysia concept the highlight of his first day as prime minister in Parliament, distinguishing it from previously unworkable attempts at unity and equality. “It’s absolutely not true that our 1Malaysia concept is a duplicate of the Malaysian Malaysia concept. The meaning behind Malaysian Malaysia is far different,” he said in reply to Karpal Singh.

The DAP chairman claimed that 1Malaysia was a “carbon copy” of his party’s Malaysian Malaysia.

“1Malaysia does not deviate from the essence of the Federal Constitution, expressed or implied. The concept upholds all the fundamental provisions of the Federal Constitution,” Najib said.

“No one should feel apprehensive or suspicious and worried that the concept would deviate from what had been agreed to by our forefathers. 1Malaysia values and respects the ethnic identities of every community in Malaysia and regards them as assets to be proud of,” he said in his debut reply during Question Time as prime minister and head of the Dewan Rakyat.

Calm and visibly happy, Najib explained the concept that he had unveiled in his first days as prime minister to the legislature.

He said 1Malaysia emphasised “acceptance” among the various races where each race accepted the uniqueness of the others so that all of them lived in mutual respect as the people of one nation.

He said 1Malaysia’s animating principle was justice.

“This means that all the people would be cared for. No one would be marginalised. This justice must take into account the different levels of progress of the races.

“As such, the government policies and constitutional provisions which assist the needy will continue to be effected,” he said.

Najib said 1Malaysia was a continuation of the country’s nation-building.

“For the country to progress, the people must achieve progress first, and this has to begin with the attitude of inter-racial acceptance which brings about strong unity.

“When unity is achieved, the process of national development will be smoother,” he said.

Najib said 1Malaysia would be implemented in two aspects: the assimilation of core elements of unity and the assimilation of aspirational values.

“The core elements of unity are, firstly, the attitude of acceptance among the races and people, secondly, principles of nationhood based on the Federal Constitution and Rukun Negara and, thirdly, social justice.”

Najib said the elements of unity were supported by noble values which should be part of the people’s way of life, including mutual respect, piety, moderation in conduct and speech, and prudence in decisions and actions.

He said the second aspect emphasised what should be the practice of any community which wanted to be progressive and successful.

In his question, Karpal alleged that Najib, during a rally in the run-up to the 1987 Operasi Lallang, had waved a keris in challenge to the Chinese community.

“If it was true, are you prepared to ask for forgiveness from the Chinese community?” Karpal demanded.

The allegation did nothing to dampen Najib’s mood.

“The incident did not take place. I have never said that. The one who should apologise is the YB concerned, not me,” he said.