Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak reiterated today that 1Malaysia was not a new concept or formula and that its ultimate objective of national unity was the main vision of past leaders of the country, albeit in various forms.

"In other words, 1Malaysia is a concept to foster unity in Malaysians of all races based on several important values which should become the practice of every Malaysian," he said when replying to Datuk Halimah Mohd Sadique (BN-Tenggara) during question time in the Dewan Rakyat.

Halimah had asked Najib, who is attending parliament for the first time as the prime minister, to clarify the 1Malaysia concept in terms of its implementation and assimilation by the plural society of the country and how it would contribute to the success of Vision 2020.

Najib said 1Malaysia was an approach not isolated from the hitherto policies of the Barisan Nasional (BN) government but complementary to existing approaches to further strengthen unity to ensure stability towards achieving greater progress and development for the people and country.

"1Malaysia is a formula which serves as a prerequisite to ensure realisation of the country's aspiration to achieve developed nation status by 2020 if it is assimilated in the people and practised by society.