As we all know, national level Deepavali Open House was held in Siliau Estate, Port Dickson last Sunday. Nope, I didn’t attend.

Anyway, the interesting thing (besides food and show) is the speech. Below is excerpts from DPM Muhyiddin’s speech taken from The Star and NST:

“That is what we have been promoting under the 1Malaysia concept. We will continue to ensure that everyone gets treated justly and his or her rights will always be protected as provided for under the Constitution and the principles of the Rukunegara,” said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Muhyiddin said the Government would use “unity in diversity” as an asset and be an example to other nations on how people in a multi-racial country could live peacefully and progress as a nation.

“There is and will never be a first or second or third class society as is prevalent in some countries. This won’t ever happen in Malaysia,” Muhyiddin said at the national-level Deepavali open house celebrations held at the Siliau Estate here. Some 10,000 people attended the event.

As such, he said 15% of the 1Malaysia unit trust scheme was reserved for the Indian community.

Other measures include a RM15mil allocation so Indian youths can apply for business loans, an increase in the number of Indians in the civil service and the training of 2,635 Indian youths to become entrepreneur.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday reiterated that there is no such thing as a first or second-class citizen in the country and that all citizens have equal rights.

He stressed that the government would continue to ensure fairness and equality for all as stated in the Federal Constitution and uphold all the principles of the Rukun Negara.

“No Malaysian should feel neglected as every individual, regardless of race or religion and whether he lives in town or the outskirts, enjoys the same rights and privileges.

“There is no segregation of race or status here and there is certainly no such thing as a first or second-class citizen,” he said at the national-level Deepavali open house at Ladang Siliau near here.

Muhyiddin called on all people to set aside their differences and heed the prime minister’s call to unite as one under the spirit of 1Malaysia.

“We admit that there are some differences among us, but these should not at any point affect our relationships with each other.

“It is time for us to forget our differences and be more understanding towards one another and help each other to further enhance unity and development.”

He hoped that one day, Malaysia would become known as a country that had successfully united people of races under one roof.

Well, I’ll leave you to your own conclusions!

The Star’s article on 5/11 quoted as below:

Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, said the Indian community would not be marginalised and all races would benefit from government initiatives including education.

“As part of our efforts to assist the Indian community, we will also ensure more jobs for them in the public sector besides implementing other measures to improve the community’s socio-economic standing.

“Co-operation between races is essential. Differences must be set aside in order for us to progress as a nation.

We are blessed to live in a multi-racial society such as ours. There will not be first-, second- or third-class citizens here. No one will be left behind no matter if they are from the city or the most remote place in the country,” he said.