Everyone in Malaysia should support govt in role as Asean chairman - Najib

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak hopes that when Malaysia takes over the task as ASEAN chairman next year, it will be supported by and receive the cooperation of the Malaysian people.

"Otherwise, it will be very difficult for us to achieve whatever we want to do when Malaysia becomes the chairman," he told Malaysian journalists after the conclusion of the 25th ASEAN Summit, here today.

The support of everyone, namely the government, private sector and corporate bodies, the media and individuals must be focused towards this which was considered as a national pride and mission, he said.

Malaysia received the honour to become the ASEAN chairman in the historic year, that is, when ASEAN would be declared as an economic community, he added.

"This is the responsibility for all of us as Malaysians, to achieve everything that we should do as ASEAN chairman," Najib said.

If the people in ASEAN were to appreciate the slogan 'People-Centred ASEAN', it must begin with the people of Malaysia themselves, he said.

In order to achieve the objective, there must be an effective communication plan and various programmes involving not only the ASEAN leaders but also certain groups such as the young entrepreneurs, parliamentarians and women.

He said the 25th Asean Summit went smoothly and was successful as a whole.