Najib pledges not to let Malaysia fall

The Prime Minister said he, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and other colleagues would continue with their efforts, challenges and trials notwithstanding.

In his National Day 2015 Message delivered at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here tonight, Najib expressed regret over the actions of some whom he said were willing to sow the seeds of strife and hostility on the anniversary of the country's independence.

"Indeed, we will never allow anyone from within or from outside, to simply walk in and steal, ruin or destroy all that we have built so far.

"Let us all remember, if we are not united, lose our solidarity and cohesion, all problems will not be resolved, and everything we have laboriously built will be destroyed just like that," he said.

This is the second time that Najib has delivered the National Day Message live before an audience unlike the usual recorded messages. The delivery was carried live over radio and television.

The event was organised by the Communications and Multimedia Ministry with the cooperation of the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama).

The prime minister urged the audience to reflect and appreciate the meaning of independence, and the deeds of the soldiers and members of the security forces who had sacrificed their lives to ensure that the people lived in peace and harmony.

"That is why we reject any form of street protests that can disrupt public order and only inconvenience the people, because they do not directly reflect maturity, and are not the proper channel to voice opinions in a democratic country," he said.

What happened over the past two days was something improper, and reflected a shallow mind and poor national spirit, he said, clearly referring to the Bersih 4 rallies in Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.

Najib urged Malaysians to continue to appreciate and respect the hard work of the security personnel in ensuring harmony at all times.

He said independence which taught an individual to be self-reliant came but just once and it was no toy and, as such, it had to be cared for, nurtured and maintained as best as possible.

"I stand here and speak to you as Malaysians who are enthusiastic and proud and wish to state emphatically that the country and the homeland belongs to each one of us and we will not allow anybody to destroy it.

"In this connection, let there be no one who attempts to instigate whatever happens, for the noble relations among Sabah, Sarawak and the peninsula cannot be undone," he said.

In a speech of about 40 minutes, the prime minister explained why independence was so close to the hearts of the Malays, UMNO and the Barisan National.

"This independence is the symbol of the peak of struggle, of the seriousness and courage of the Malays, UMNO and BN component parties in building a nation state," he said.

To that end, Najib gave the undertaking that he and members of his administration as well as the BN would continue to strive hard and be committed to ensuring the prosperity and well-being of Malaysia and its people.

"I would like to repeat here that once the sail has been unfurled, the anchor hauled in, there is no turning back for the captain and his crew.

"Together we stand, let us together rise and let us together, with sincerity and renewed determination, look to the future with strength and independence in solidarity, with rhythm, of one heart and soul hail Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!" he said.

Also present at the ceremony were Najib's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Ahmad Zahid and Cabinet ministers.