KUALA LUMPUR: A multi-racial crowd thronged the Perdana Botanical Gardens on Saturday to celebrate unity among Malaysians in an event titled “Moments of Unity”.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who joined the people for an aerobics session, said mutual respect and empathy are crucial for unity.

He urged everyone to reject extremism, which is the enemy of harmony and peace.

In his speech, Najib recalled fond memories from the days when Malaysians packed the stadium to watch Pestabola Merdeka (Merdeka Football Tournament) in support of the national football team, adding in jest: “standards were much better than today.”

The Prime Minister also rattled off a list of local food including yong tau foo, nasi kandar, tosai and yee sang, which he said showcased the diversity of Malaysian culture.

“Moments of Unity” was organised by the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (NCCIM), the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.

At the event, national shuttler Datuk Lee Chong Wei was appointed “Unity Icon” for bringing Malaysians of all races together with his performance on the badminton court.

It was also announced that the Unity Internship programme, which has so far recruited bumiputra university students to undergo internships at non-bumiputra companies, would be extended to include non-bumiputra students for internships with bumiputra retailers.

So far, 2,243 undergraduates have completed their internships at 161 private companies.

NCCIM and ACCCIM president Datuk Ter Leong Yap, in his speech, said people could not take for granted that unity was easily achieved.

“It requires vision, mission, positive action and commitment from the Government and all rakyat,” he said.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Joseph Kurup was among the VIPs present.-thestar