Harapan leaders back Dr M's Malaysia Day unity call

Top Pakatan Harapan leaders today backed Prime Minister Dr Mahatihr Mohamad's Malaysia Day call for unity which he said can aid Putrajaya to govern well.

"We support Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's speech in conjunction with the Malaysia Day celebration in Kuching, Sarawak emphasising the importance of unity in ensuring stability in the country.

"In the same spirit, we call on all Malaysians to understand and appreciate the unity among us.

"Our religion, heritage and culture may differ but our blood is one based upon the principle of unity in diversity," they said in a statement.

The statement was jointly signed by PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and Amanah president Mohamad Sabu.

Mahathir, in his Kuching speech tonight, said there were efforts to divide the people but urged Malaysians to stand against such efforts.

"When unity is achieved, then stability will surely follow. Stability will give us the space to govern and implement policies and programmes for the benefit of the country's development and the people's wellbeing.

"Stability will also increase economic activity which will, in turn, generate wealth to be shared together," Mahathir, who is also the Harapan chairperson, said.

Harapan leaders said Malaysians should not alienate the different communities in the country.

"Let no one among us question the loyalty or character of any ethnic group among us for when the identity of a race is regularly questioned, the harmony and peace in a country will be threatened.

"Every ethnic group will take the easy way by reducing their interaction with each other. The impact will be a widening ethnic gap which will cost the country's economy," they said.

They stressed the country was built upon the values of tolerance, decorum, mutual respect, willingness to give and share, selflessness and the willingness to sacrifice in the interest of the country.

"Without these values, Malaysia would not have grown to become a developed nation capable of ensuring the people's comfort, harmony and advancement.

"Each of us must work towards maintaining the social fabric of peace, prosperity and well-being while distancing from movements to create enmity among the people of Malaysia," they said.