PRESERVING NATIONAL HARMONY KEY TO MALAYSIA’S STRENGTH - DR WAN AZIZAH

KUALA LUMPUR, April 20 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, wife of the Prime Minister, has urged Malaysians to uphold unity and racial harmony to ensure the country’s internal stability, which she said is crucial for Malaysia to play an effective role as ASEAN Chair. 

The Bandar Tun Razak MP said racial harmony in Malaysia forms the foundation of the nation’s strength.

She said this internal strength would also allow Malaysia to play the role of a political stabiliser at both regional and international levels.

“Alhamdulillah, we are a multiracial country, and we are united as a society. It is important that we continue to preserve harmony and use this festive celebration as a medium to strengthen unity. It is important for us (as ASEAN Chair) to promote harmony,” she said at the Bandar Tun Razak parliamentary constituency Aidilfitri open house here today.

Also present was political secretary to the Prime Minister, Datuk Azman Abidin.

In another development, Dr Wan Azizah said Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit earlier this week reflected the special attention Malaysia is receiving from the world’s second-largest economy.

“President Xi Jinping visited Malaysia for three days. This shows the level of attention China is giving to Malaysia. It is also due to our country's changing geopolitical position,” she said.

Xi undertook a three-day state visit to Malaysia starting Tuesday at the invitation of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.

-- BERNAMA