Badawi: 'Malaysia Is One Nation'

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (ots/PRNewswire) -

- Prime Minister Badawi warns against those who would seek to
divide Malaysia along racial and religious lines

On Saturday, Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi,
campaigning in Terengganu, warned voters to resist those trying to
sow division and disunity in the country by splitting Malaysians
along racial and religious lines.

"We solve problems through unity and friendship. Malaysia is one
nation with one people. Our strength lies in our unity and is drawn
from our determination to involve Malaysians from all religious and
ethnic backgrounds in the progress and prosperity of our nation,"
Prime Minister Badawi said.

"Those who wish to encourage division in this election, for their
own narrow gain, are playing a dangerous political game," he added.

"Our economy, security, prosperity, society and democracy will
all suffer if we allow politics to divide us as a people, and as a
nation, one from another.

"I urge all Malaysians to resist those trying to use these
elections to sow fear, division and disunity amongst our people by
splitting our country along racial and religions lines. There is no
doubt those who believe they can gain politically from such divisions
will use any means possible, every available opportunity, to try to
drive a wedge between us. I believe Malaysians will not fall for
their divisive campaigns," Mr. Badawi said.

"Let us celebrate our diversity as a nation and embrace the unity
between all religions and all ethnic groups which marks Malaysia out
as a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-party democracy. And let
us keep moving forward together," said Mr. Badawi.

In contrast to those who seek division, Mr. Badawi's government has
sought to achieve greater unity across Malaysia including:
-- Guaranteeing the right to worship for all Malaysians;
-- Establishing guidelines to ensure that land is reserved for places of
worship for all communities in newly developed areas;
-- Encouraging inter-faith understanding through forums such as the
National Unity Advisory Panel;
-- Promoting inter-ethnic unity through the School Integration Programme
and National Service Training Programme.

The governing coalition, (Barisan Nasional), which Mr. Badawi
leads, is committed in its election manifesto to "enhance
appreciation for diverse cultures among Malaysia's multi-ethnic
people" as well as increasing dialogue on inter-faith issues. The
manifesto also includes commitments to build a better understanding
of Islam between Muslims and non-Muslims, expand the teaching of
Mandarin and Tamil in the national schools and increase ethnic
diversity in the public sector.

Mr. Badawi is back campaigning in his home state of Penang today
after a two-day stop in the East Coast states of Kelantan and
Terengganu. He is scheduled to attend a dinner with the Indian
community later tonight.

ots Originaltext: BN2008 News
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
Chong Sin Woon, +6019-382-8461, campaignupdates@BN2008.org.my