KUALA LUMPUR: The 1Malaysia concept does not deviate from the essence of the Federal Constitution, expressed or implied, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Saturday.

He said it was not a new concept or formula but its ultimate objective was national unity, which was the primary vision of previous administrators translated into various forms over the last five decades or so.

Najib said that looking back at history, since the time the patriots fought for independence up to the present time, efforts to achieve national unity were given priority because all quarters realised that without unity it would be difficult to achieve the objectives of the national vision.

"What has changed is the approach and methodology, to suit the era and generation," he said in his congratulatory speech on behalf of the government, civil servants and the people in conjunction with the birthday of the Yang diPertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, at the Istana Negara, here.

Najib said the late Tunku Abdul Rahman founded the Alliance Party as the first concrete step in the nation's history to forge unity in the political arena.

He said the people of all races were united in whatever they did and this was evident when the nation achieved independence on Aug 31, 1957 and when Malaysia was formed on Sept 16, 1963.

Najib said that following the May 13 incident, second prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein expanded the concept of racial cooperation by setting up the Barisan Nasional coalition and formulating the New Economic Policy and the national ideology, Rukun Negara.

He said these efforts were carried forward by (third prime minister) Tun Hussein Onn, taken to new heights by (fourth prime minister) Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad through the concept of "Bangsa Malaysia" (Malaysian race) and Vision 2020 and extended by (fifth prime minister) Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi through the National Mission.

The government would continue to uphold the Federal Constitution, he said, and allayed any fear that the 1Malaysia concept would deviate from what had been agreed to by the country's forefathers.

Najib said the government considered the 1Malaysia concept as the axis of administration supported by several pillars, among them were unity based on tolerance based on acceptance, social justice and shared values which took into account the realities of history based on upholding the constitution and the principles of the Rukun Negara.

"This new economic model would leverage on creativity, innovation and high values. In this connection, an economic advisory council has been set up to realise this new economic model," he said.

Najib said the government would also streamline and formulate policies to face the global economic downturn.

The priority is to ensure that the country faced the least impact from the global economic downturn, secondly to emerge from the economic downturn as fast as possible and thirdly help the people tide over the difficult period, he said.

"One of the main pillars of unity is social justice based on fair distribution of wealth. For this, the country needs dynamic economic growth.

“Furthermore, the wealth cannot be distributed if the economic cake does not grow," he said.

The prime minister said the government also took steps to relook the national education system to incorporate elements of innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship and high cultural values.

It was hoped that this would help produce manpower capable of facing the challenges and competition of the new economic era, he said.

Najib said the government would also review existing policies, laws and regulations to provide a more conducive investment atmosphere to stimulate foreign direct investment to help realise the new economic model. - Bernama

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