Najib sends his CNY message via video

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has conveyed his best wishes to Chinese Malaysians celebrating the Lunar New Year via a YouTube video.

The minute-long clip released on Wednesday was shot at the Ti-Ratana Welfare Society in Desa Petaling, Kuala Lumpur, and features Najib mingling with the welfare body’s residents.

In it, Najib uses his Chinese New Year message to reinforce “unity” and “respect” between Malaysians.

“In a situation where everyone respects one another, surely we will be able to shape Malaysia into a more successful country, more prosperous, and in a more harmonious condition,” Najib says in the video.

The video starts by featuring three elderly residents of the old folks’ home expressing their messages for the Lunar New Year before zeroing in on Najib tossing yee sang with the elderly folks.

“To all Chinese Malaysians, may this year bring better blessings to our Malaysia, Gong Xi Fatt Chai,” Najib says, speaking against a backdrop of the residents engrossed in Chinese New Year preparations.

He is also seen giving ang pow to the children and in one scene, jovially holding a newborn baby.

The Ti-Ratana Welfare Society runs an orphanage, a women’s shelter, two old folks’ homes, and a home for the handicapped.

In the video, the residents – both young and old – are also shown putting up festive decorations and performing the lion dance.

“Malaysia can be considered a very good nation, everything is peaceful and truly we all enjoy life as it is,” a resident says at the start of the video.

Another resident’s wish is for his children to visit him this year.

“I hope people of all races and friends, Malay and Indian, together unite in celebrating the New Year,” say another resident.