KUALA LUMPUR, June 6 (Bernama) -- The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, today called on the people to show appreciation for the 1Malaysia concept introduced as an extension of government efforts to grow the national unity sown at the time of the nation's independence more than 50 years ago.
He said every citizen had a huge responsibility in this undertaking because it was the people themselves who would determine the rise and fall of a nation.
Tuanku Mizan said he hoped that Malaysians would continue to maintain unity and share their blessings and responsibilities as this was something unique and a source of their strength.
"I am very happy because the people have demonstrated that they are able to live in an atmosphere of harmony and mutual respect given the diversity of race, ethnicity, religion, culture and lifestyle," he said at the investiture at Istana Negara in conjunction with his birthday.
Tuanku Mizan also said that he was happy that the 1Malaysia concept introduced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was based on the principle of "People First, Performance Now".
Tuanku Mizan also said that the government should continue to improve the national administrative and implementation machinery, which served as the pulse of national development, to provide the best service for the well-being of the people.
He said he hoped that the benefits of the two economic stimulus packages launched by the government would reach the target groups.
He said he also believed that the government would be able to use prudence in stepping up efforts to balance economic development with social needs to bring about peace and prosperity for the people so that no race or group, including women, youths, the elderly and the handicapped, was neglected.
"In fact, existing government policies have provided for social balance among the people of various races with a prudent economic development strategy. I am happy that the number of people yet to enjoy the benefits of national development is shrinking," he said.
Tuanku Mizan also wanted the young generation of the country to equip themselves with all kinds of knowledge and skills to inherit the invaluable asset of a nation of pride and respect that had been shaped by the government.
The king said he was happy that the national leadership transition in April had proceeded smoothly and congratulated Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on his appointment as the prime minister.
He said Najib had demonstrated dynamic leadership and commitment since his appointment as the prime minister.
Tuanku Mizan also thanked former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for his leadership and services to the nation.
Earlier, at the Dataran Merdeka, Tuanku Mizan and the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tuanku Nur Zahirah, witnessed the trooping of the colours by the armed forces.
The ceremony was to pay homage to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
Their Majesties were accorded the honour of a 21-gun salute and a flypast by five armed forces' helicopters carrying the flags of Malaysia, the armed forces and its three branches.
Tuanku Mizan inspected a guard-of-honour mounted by 22 officers and 546 men of the army, navy and air force, accompanied by Chief of Defence Forces Gen Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Zainal and head of the guard-of-honour Lt Col Nazim Mohd Alim.
Their Majesties then witnessed the trooping of the colours in full military tradition as the military bank played patriotic music.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and their wives were also present at the ceremony.
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