Only one Independence Day: PM
Published on: Saturday, November 29, 2014
KUALA LUMPUR: Umno President Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said as the main component party of the Barisan Nasional (BN), it would continue to ensure the survival of solidarity because it formed an important asset that could ensure peace and harmony in the country. "This is something that the Government does tirelessly as it is the most important asset for the survival of Umno, BN and the beloved nation," he said when addressing the 2,751 delegates present at the assembly held at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), here.Najib said the solidarity nurtured through the social contract by the previous Umno leadership laid the foundation for Malaysia's journey from before until now and forever.
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"If we study closely the past leaders, with all their wise approaches, had initiated a new chapter for the country for the people to work on."The earliest move taken by leaders of the Government under Umno was to create peace and stability through what is called the social contract," he said.The success demanded the sacrifice of everyone who had agreed to it, particularly the Malays and Bumiputera and the social contract became a vehicle in creating solidarity among the people of the young and new nation.Commenting further on solidarity, Najib said the decision to celebrate the Independence Day only on Aug 31 every year was a clear example of the solidarity spirit among the people of various races in the country, besides honouring the spirit of the country's father of independence, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra al-Haj.
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"Many had asked why we wanted only one date for the independence of the whole of Malaysia. The answer is solidarity. But don't worry, we still maintain the public holiday on Sept 16 to celebrate the occasion."In fact, it is more important to know that was the intention of Tunku Abdul Rahman who wanted the Independence Day to be celebrated on Aug 31," he said.
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The aura of the late Tunku Abdul Rahman was felt by every delegate when the cheer "Merdeka...Merdeka...Merdeka" reverberated in the Dewan Merdeka which was overwhelmed by the colours red, white and pink. The Umno president also called on all Malaysians to continue to unite so that the country could be strongly united under the Umno and BN banner to ensure victory in the 14th general election (GE14). "Solidarity is also important not only to win in the GE14 but also to make the country greater and progressive," he added.Najib drew the attention of the delegates when he conceded that the year 2014 was most challenging for Malaysia when it was tested on numerous occasions including the disappearance of the Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight MH370 in March and the MH17 air crash in July.He said when Malaysia was going through the tragic incident involving the shooting down of the flight MH17 in east Ukraine, no major power could help Malaysia, but with the solidarity spirit, all the difficulties were overcome."It had never happened in history that I negotiated with a rebel who did not have a national identity. My intention was nothing more than to retrieve the black box and enter the area of the tragedy," he said.The arrival of the dead bodies in stages was greeted with full military honours at the Bunga Raya Complex, KL International Airport and the solidarity was proven when all the people observed the Day of National Mourning on Aug 22 when the first batch of 20 bodies arrived.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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