BN Practises Principle Of 'Sense Of Belonging And Sense Of Togetherness' - PM

GEORGE TOWN (Malaysia), Jan 25 (Bernama) -- The National Front (Barisan Nasional - BN) government practises the principle of 'sense of belonging and sense of togetherness' to enhance inter-racial harmony in the country, said Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak. Barisan Nasional (Malay; historically National Front; commonly abbreviated as BN) is a major political coalition in Malaysia. It has been Malaysia's federal ruling political force since independence. The Barisan Nasional coalition currently consists of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) and 11 other political parties. He said by being steadfast to this principle, Malaysians of all races could move forward as one nation, one people and with a singular vision. "We need the support of all races, Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazan, Iban, Orang Asli and various other ethnic groups. If all of us can move forward as one people, one nation with one vision, God willing, we will be able to achieve what we hope for. "This is not a pipe dream, not being delirious, but a sweet dream that can become a reality if we forge ahead with the sense of belonging and sense of togetherness," he said. Najib (third from left) said this when opening a Chinese New Year open house organised by the BN here Tuesday. Najib said in line with this principle, the government had introduced various forms of aid and allocations for the people irrespective of race, among them the Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) aid scheme whereby RM500 is given to each household where the monthly income is less than RM3,000, RM100 aid for each school student and the 1Malaysia People's Housing Project (PRIMA). (US$1=RM3.12) "We are able to do this because our economy is strong. It (economy) is not dictated by the vagaries of the market, because if this was the case, it would only be the rich who will benefit. "That is why the BR1M aid scheme is a history maker," he said. The prime minister also said the government did not borrow from any party whether locally or abroad to provide aid for the people and that this was possible because of good fiscal management by the government. He also gave the assurance that the RM500 aid was given without any ulterior motives and that the Inland Revenue Board would not be going after those who received it. "This RM500 aid is sincerely given...whether you want to accept it or not does not matter, but I am confident that the people who need it will take it, and coincidentally it is being given in conjunction with the Chinese New Year," he said. Najib said apart from this, the people also got to enjoy investing in the Skim Amanah Rakyat 1Malaysia trust fund. "It is given based on need and investors borrowing from banks will enjoy profit of RM50 a month and after five years earn a return of RM5,000. "There is no scheme like this in other countries...this is because we have promised to help the people," he said. He further stressed that as the ruling government, the BN would continue to work hard and with full commitment to ensure that the welfare of Malaysians would be looked after and that Malaysia became a developed country. Also present were the Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (second from right) and Prime Minister's wife Rosmah Mansor (fourth from left). (photoBERNAMA) MALAYSIA