Malaysia will be a stronger nation if there is a greater sense of togetherness among the people, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Speaking at the national-level Malaysia Day 2016 celebration at the Bintulu Old Airport site here tonight, he said Malaysia had faced many challenges and obstacles since the country's formation 53 years ago but because of the people's unity, had become strong and successful.
"This is because we are together as one big family. We are stronger, we are greater and rise up to challenges because we are together," he said.
He said Malaysians must strive further to enhance the sense of togetherness by, among others, finding the points of similarity and moments of unity that could strengthen social unity.
Najib said moments of unity could be found in sports and the arts.
"When Pandelela Rinong, who is a Bidayuh did well at the Rio Olympics, we all as Malaysians regardless of our racial backgrounds shared her success. The same goes to the Paralympians who have made us proud with their world record breaking achievements.
"And when (Sarawak) Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem sings The Young Ones, we all feel very entertained. Those are the things that we must find among ourselves," he said.
On another matter, the prime minister said Sarawakians made the right decision to accept the formation of Malaysia in 1963, together with the states in Malaya, North Borneo and Singapore (which left the Federation in 1965).
He said the formation of Malaysia had helped to ward off internal and external threats such as communism.
Najib vowed that he would continue his agenda to develop both Sarawak and Sabah so that their people could enjoy inclusive and balanced development.
The Malaysia Day celebration themed "Sehati Sejiwa" (One Heart, One Soul) was graced by Sarawak Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud. -- Bernama
Bernama
Fri Sep 16 2016
(From left) Adenan, Najib, Abdul Taib and his wife, Toh Puan Ragad Waleed Alkurdi Taib.
Industri minyak sawit disaran guna semula sisa untuk bahan api penerbangan mampan - Liew
Industri minyak sawit perlu mengkaji penggunaan semula sisa sebagai stok suapan penting untuk bahan api penerbangan mampan (SAF), di luar penggunaan tradisional minyak sawit.
SDG: UTP lahir pelajar berkemahiran, tinggi tanggungjawab sosial
UTP berhasrat mendidik pelajar bukan sahaja untuk mahir dalam aspek teknikal tetapi juga untuk menjadi warganegara yang bertanggungjawab.
MAA semak semula unjuran jualan kenderaan 2024 kepada 765,000 unit
Persatuan Automotif Malaysia (MAA) telah menyemak semula unjuran jualan kenderaan bermotor baharu bagi 2024 kepada 765,000 unit daripada anggaran sebelumnya sebanyak 740,000 unit.
RUU 355: Pindaan perlu untuk praktikaliti, keadilan
Apa sahaja pindaan terhadap akta itu perlu berjalan selari dengan persediaan mereka yang bertanggungjawab melaksanakannya.
Rasionalisasi RON95 dijangka beri impak lebih besar kepada PKS - SAMENTA
SAMENTA menjangkakan rasionalisasi RON95 akan memberi impak yang lebih besar kepada perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) berbanding pelarasan subsidi diesel.
Malaysia sasar pengeluaran 40 peratus sektor akuakultur menjelang 2030
Malaysia menyasarkan pengeluaran 40 peratus hasil sektor akuakultur menjelang 2030 dalam usaha membantu mengimbangi keperluan perikanan negara.
10 Berita Pilihan - (16 Julai 2024
Antara pelbagai berita dalam dan luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
PAC beri tempoh tiga bulan kepada HRD Corp
Jawatankuasa Kira-kira Wang Negara (PAC) memberi tempoh tiga bulan kepada Perbadanan Pembangunan Sumber Manusia (HRD Corp) untuk mengemukakan laporan tindakan susulan terhadap syor jawatankuasa itu.
Kylian Mbappe tandatangan kontrak dengan Real Madrid
Bintang bola sepak Perancis Kylian Mbappe menandatangani kontrak selama lima tahun dengan kelab Sepanyol Real Madrid pada Selasa.
Pelepasan ketujuh air sisa nuklear Fukushima ke laut selesai
Jepun telah menyelesaikan pusingan ketujuh pelepasan air sisa radioaktif yang dirawat dari loji kuasa nuklear Fukushima Daiichi ke Lautan Pasifik pada Selasa.