KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said harmonious relations and unity among Malaysians were key to Malaysia's success.
In a special televised New Year's address tonight, Muhyiddin said it was due to the people's unity that the country was able to overcome every challenge and obstacle brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Sow the spirit of unity, even more so with the challenges of increasingly sophisticated technology and the outpouring of information between true, semi-true, and false that are spreading in the virtual space.
"I would like to stress that the government would not hesitate to take action against anyone that continues to spread hatred among races and religions, or insult the constitutional monarchy in the country," he said.
Strengthening ties among races and religions is one of the five priorities of the government in the new year.
The other four include increasing public health through the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines and launching a nationwide vaccination programme; strengthening people's economy and to drive the country's economic growth post-Covid-19 through the implementation of the 2021 Budget and the 12th Malaysia Plan; ensuring government and political stability including good governance as a foundation to sustainable economic recovery; and guaranteeing the country's sovereignty and strengthening Malaysia's position on the world stage.
The five priorities for 2021 were in line with the government's long term vision, as laid out in the 2030 Shared Prosperity Vision (SPV 2030), said Muyhiddin.
He added that if the people worked harder today to restore the country's economy, the aims of the SPV 2030 to make Malaysia a developing country with fair, just and inclusive economic distribution for all levels of income group, ethnicity, region and supply chain would be successfully achieved by 2030.
"Indeed, the government has its plans and economic vision for every level of development.
"With the cooperation and support of all Malaysians from Perlis to Sabah, I'm sure that these plans will bear fruit and our vision will be achieved, Insya Allah.
"I pray to Allah SWT that the year 2021 will open a new page for the people to continue uniting for the country's recovery in all aspects, especially in terms of health, socio-economy, racial unity and national integration."
He also said the PN government would continue to uphold the glory (syiar) of Islam by fulfilling the objectives of the Syariah (Maqasid Syariah) which protects the religion, life, intellect, descendants and wealth without denying the rights of other religions as the country battles Covid-19.
"Let us all strive to be better versions of ourselves in the new year, to achieve more for Malaysia.
"Together we step into 2021 with more courage and confidence that this new year will be better than previous years, insya Allah."