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Malaysian PM calls for unity in new year message

Xinhua, December 31, 2015 Adjust font size:

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak called on his fellow compatriots to "put past divisions behind" in the new year message on Thursday, after a year in which he held on to his position despite internal pressure and led his country in playing a prominent role on regional integration.

In 2015, Malaysia held nonpermanent seat in the 15-member United Nation Security Council and the chairmanship of the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which officially establish the ASEAN community on Thursday.

Najib said the ASEAN Economic Community, one of the three pillars of the ASEAN Community, was "a historic turning point...marking the beginning of a new era for ASEAN members combined a population of 6.25 million."

Malaysia's ASEAN chairmanship culminated in November, as major world leaders gathered in the Malaysian capital for the East Asia Summit.

"We hosted world leaders in Kuala Lumpur as ASEAN and the United States announced a new strategic partnership, while our ties with China have never been stronger," he said.

Najib said he had promised to build a safer, more prosperous and more equal society, and the government has not ceased efforts towards realizing those objectives during the year.

Malaysia managed hanged on to its development target of 4.5 percent to 5.5 percent year-on-year, despite falling oil price and stagnation in export, thanks to strong domestic demand.

Malaysia is also facing threat from extremism since the rise of Islamic State in Middle East. Najib said over 150 Malaysians have been arrested for terrorism-related activities and potential attacks in Kuala Lumpur have been foiled.

Najib himself was under immense pressure following state investment company 1MDB reported massive debt and the controversy over politic funding, but has since consolidated his position after a cabinet reshuffle.

The government and Najib denied any wrongdoing in the issues. The prime minister said in the new year massage that some disputes were "exploited and politicized" by his opponents.

Najib said the goal for 2016 remains a safer, more prosperous, and more equal society for Malaysia. He promised "tough, necessary and right decisions" to protect the people from the scourges of terrorism, as well as regulation on political funding.

"If we can put past divisions behind us, and embrace anew what joins us together as citizens of the country we are so proud of, I am sure that 2016 can be a year in which we move confidently together, as one, towards that future," he said. Enditem