'Malaysia belongs to every Malaysian'

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia belongs to every Malaysian and no one should be allowed to become a traitor and destroy the country, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.
"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," he said.
Najib said it was important for all people to stay in solidarity and rise through the occasion and look into the future.
"We need to remember, if we do not stay united and lose solidarity, any problem could not be solved, and everything we have built together could be destroyed just like that," he said in his National Day 2015 message at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
He also warned that there are quarters who are willing to cause discord among people.
"In the eve of the country's independence day anniversary, I stand here not as a prime minister or a party president, but as a proud Malaysian," he said.
Najib added that no matter what challenges the country faces, he and his government administration will not let Malaysia, a "star" established for almost six decades, fall into darkness, but instead, continue to develop it to reach world standards.
He said that Malaysia is a fortunate country with some 30 million people made up of various ethnic groups and cultures, which has been transformed from an agricultural country into an industrial one, aiming to be a high income developed nation by 2020.
"I congratulate all the wise leaders from the past until now, the civil servants and of course, all Malaysians," Najib said.
On the weakening ringgit and economic downturn, Najib said: "Do not be worried as our economy is on the right track, unlike claimed by certain quarters.
"Our growth rate last year stood at 6% and this year we hope to achieve 5%."
He said this was unlike during the 1998 economic crisis when the economy shrank by 7%.
"As such, claims that we will become a failed state or on the verge of bankruptcy are totally unfounded," he added.
On the Bersih 4 rally, Najib said it is "haram" (illegal) in Islam.
Stating that all forms of street demonstrations have to be rejected, he said they reflect the immaturity of the people while affecting the peace and order of the country.
“The mufti of Kelantan himself has stated that street demonstrations like the Bersih 4 rally are haram in Islam,” he said.
He said the two-day rally has showcased shallow mindedness and poor patriotism from the participants.
“This is why we reject all forms of street demonstrations as it can affect public order and only causes difficulties for the people.
“It does not reflect any maturity at all and is not the right channel to express views in a democratic country,” Najib said.