KUCHING, May 21 — The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah Ibni Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah today called on all Malaysians to value unity as a national asset in the interest of the country’s future.

The Agong said Malaysians who love their country must also reduce differences in the community, race and religion.

"Thirdly, unity begins at home,” the Agong said at the launch of the National Unity Week at the Kuching Waterfront here.

He said he was compelled to say this after listening to the voices of young Malaysians.

Among those present at the launch were Sarawak Governor Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusuf and federal and state ministers.

In his speech earlier, National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang stressed that everything that the federal government has carried out to date is a form of a huge investment for future generations.

He said this effort shows how the royal institution, government leaders and people are on the same page when it comes to national unity.

Ago said in line with the wishes of the prime minister, the National Unity Ministry took the initiative to come up with a Malaysia-centric development framework based on the concept of Malaysia Madani.

He said there are three clusters under the framework: vibrant nationalism, vibrant unity, and vibrant community.

He added that the unity week is a signature programme of his ministry that will be celebrated throughout the country.

Ago said the main parts of the programme would focus on nationalism, cultures arts and heritage that will be achieved through various mechanisms such as continuous interaction and social relationships among the various ethnic, cultures and religious groups in the country.

"This will involve all sectors, including leaders, government agencies, private sector, non-governmental organisations and communities,” he said.