Yes to national consensus, no to unity government

The Cabinet in its weekly meeting on Wednesday had studied a plan to develop and promote an environment which will be conducive and promote national reconciliation.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the national reconciliation plan will be based on four key thrusts namely, social, political, government and international relations and going forward.

However, he stressed that the plan do not include any sort of unity government.

Najib said he was heartened to see the Opposition calling for a national consensus, an idea which he had mooted several months ago.

“I had mooted this idea following the General Elections but various parties were not conducive to my appeals to come together. The legitimacy of the elections were even questioned by them and it was proven to be baseless,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.

He said he will lead the implementation of changes and hopes that it will bring Malaysians closer.

He said the government’s plan is based on democratic principles and promised to continue to defend the freedom to voice one’s views.

“But this must also be tempered with responsibility,” he stressed.

For the national consensus to be a success, Najib called on all Malaysians to be committed to avoid spreading lies and slander and end the politics of hate.

He said there is also a need to go back to the grassroots and re-engage with the people to build their commitment to the common vision of a peaceful, successful and harmonious Malaysia.

“We must also get our youths involved in these initiatives to unite the people. We must work towards a Social Unity Model that can help ensure that unity remains a common objective in the activities of the next generation,” he said.

He said the people had given the Barisan Nasional strong mandate to govern and added that the BN is striving to become more inclusive in its activities and events.

“We are open to talking to all parties and we can use Parliament including the setting up of bi-partisan committees to discuss issues affecting national unity,” he said.

Najib promised changes in the next few months, which he said will help to make Malaysia a stronger, more united and cohesive nation.

“I invite all Malaysians to join me on this journey,” he said.

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had on Sunday, called for a national consensus on crucial matters like racial and religious issues.

He had also called on leaders from both sides of political divide to discard their political affiliations and to work together towards the national consensus.