King: Give priority to unity

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysians must give priority to unity, mutual understanding, tolerance, cooperation and goodwill to continue to enjoy the prevailing peace and stability in the country, said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin.

He also urged the people to act responsibly while keeping away from all elements which could affect peace and harmony.

“Malaysians must refrain from creating tension, being disrespectful to one another, refrain from harping on sensitive issues and defying the law.

“All these efforts are towards making Malaysia a peaceful and harmonious country,” he said in his Maal Hijrah message at the national-level Maal Hijrah celebrations at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre here yesterday.

Tuanku Mizan also urged Muslims in the country to understand that Hijrah means progress while facing challenges and accepting changes.

He also hoped that their progress would be on par with the nation’s rapid growth.

“Muslims must evaluate themselves while realising their level of achievements; that is why this year’s Maal Hijrah celebrations has the theme ‘Producing People of Excellence (Menjana Ummah Gemilang)’,” he said.

Also at the celebrations were the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Abdullah Md Zin.

Apart from Quran recitals and an entertainment show featuring religious singing groups, the highlight of the celebrations was proclaiming corporate figure Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Albukhary the Tokoh Maal Hijrah of the year.