Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today wished all the Chinese community a happy and properous new year.

The Prime Minister said Malaysia was home to people from many cultures, ethnicities and backgrounds, and all had played an important role in building the country into a great nation.

"I would like to take this opportunity to wish all Chinese Malaysians a happy and prosperous new year.

"This is very true of our Chinese brothers and sisters who have made a tremendous contribution to the Malaysian culture, society and economy. The results of their hard work and sacrifice is evident in every part of our country," he said in the latest posting in his blog NajibRazak.com


Najib noted that the Chinese community had done so hand in hand with their fellow citizens, including those from other races who called Malaysia their home.

He said the culture of friendship, camaraderie and harmonious co-existense had always been the way of life in the country, as it also symbolised the true spirit of 1Malaysia.

"If we follow the core values that embody this - a culture of excellence, perseverance, humility, acceptance, loyalty, education and integrity - I believe that our future, and the future of generations to come, is secure.

"As Prime Minister, I am committed to these values, and resolute in my desire to ensure that the future of our children and our children's children will be better than ours," he said.

Najib hoped that as Malaysians celebrated the start of the Chinese New year, they would take a moment to appreciate the contribution of those who came before them, and commit to leaving their own mark on society.

"Over the course of the coming days, I look forward to joining my fellow citizens from the Malaysian Chinese community at their open houses.

"It is one of the most endearing, and personally one of my favourite, Malaysian traditions.

"I hope that the Year of the Monkey brings happiness and good health to us all. Xin Nian Kuai Le!" he said.