KUALA LUMPUR: Choosing compassion over hatred and wisdom over emotion are among the ways for unity government component parties to find common ground and move forward together, says Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.
"If we (only highlight) our differences, we will never find this common ground," the Barisan Nasional secretary-general said in his address at the Unity Government National Convention at the World Trade Centre (WTC) here on Sunday (May 14).
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In outlining several ways for all the parties to move forward in building the nation, he added that they should collaborate with one another instead of opting for a confrontational approach.
"This is the time to collaborate. This is the first time all parties from different political backgrounds have come together to express their desire for our great nation," he said.
He also noted that it was important to have compassion instead of hatred.
"We also do not want hatred (to take root) in our hearts.
"We would like to share power, not become boastful because of it.
"We also need to use our wisdom (hikmah) instead of relying on our emotions," said Zambry.
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The national convention, the first of its kind, kicked off in the morning with the Women's Convention and Pemuda Puteri (youth) Convention held simultaneously.
The highlight of the convention, themed “Madani: Mengangkat Agenda Rakyat”, will be a keynote address by Unity Government Secretariat chairman and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The convention will close with the launch of a joint resolution.
