National Unity Tops Govt Development Agenda - Ongkili
Tuesday, 13 April 2004 (Source: Bernama)

KOTA MARUDU: People in this northern district of Sabah have been urged to strengthen their support for Barisan Nasional (BN) and assist government's efforts to unite all Malaysians.

In making the call, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili said national unity was the supreme objective of all development programmes carried out by the government.

Ongkili, who is Kota Marudu MP, said this was enshrined in all national perspective and Malaysian five-year development plans.

"Development has little meaning if people are disunited and having mistrust and ill-feelings towards each other," he said at a thanksgiving for BN's victory in Kota Marudu in the last general election, at his residence in Jalan Bunsadan, here Monday night.

About 2,000 people including BN component leaders, civil servants, community leaders and party supporters attended the function.

Ongkili, who is the minister in charge of national unity, said Malaysia had a proven record of racial peace and consensus-building despite having a multiracial population with diverse beliefs, cultures and customs.

"Malaysia is a showcase of successful race relations and development-planning. It is a success story of unity in diversity," he said.

Ongkili who is also Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) deputy president thanked BN leaders, campaign workers and voters who worked hard to ensure victory for the party in the constituency.

Ongkili won both the Tandek state and Kota Marudu parliamentary seats with comfortable majorities, doubled what he obtained in the 1999 elections.

He also urged the people to step up efforts to improve their livelihood apart from making full use of assistance provided by the government.

Ongkili advised civil servants in the district to further improve their work efficiency and serve the public to the best of their ability.

Among those present were Matunggong Assemblywoman and Assistant Minister of Social Development and Consumer Affairs Jornah Mozihim, Kundasang Assemblyman Dr Joachim Gunsalam, District Officer Jane Tan and District Police Chief DSP Salleh Ahmad Bee.