Watch out for wolves in sheep's clothing, Agong says ahead of Merdeka celebration

Social solidarity, national integration and racial unity are the keys to national harmony, prosperity and well-being, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah said today.

He said they were also the keys to gaining the strength to face the challenges ahead, in accordance with this year’s National Day theme of "Keluarga Malaysia Teguh Bersama" (Keluarga Malaysia Standing Strong Together).

"In that regard, His Majesty says it is a shared responsibility of all to not only preserve and protect the national harmony that we have enjoyed so far, but also to nurture it among ourselves as the Malaysian Family.

"His Majesty is of the view that if the people stay united, play their roles and hold fast to these keys, we will be able to curb those groups or extremists who sow seeds of division and fan the flames of racism to cause disharmony in the country for personal gain," Comptroller of the Royal Household Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said in a statement today.

Fadil said Sultan Abdullah also reminded the people to beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing who were also capable of causing disunity among the people and shaking the country’s stability through lies and seditious remarks which contravene the principles of the Rukun Negara, the ultimate key to racial harmony and unity.
 
Fadil said His Majesty also called on the people to remember the history of more than six decades ago, when the spirit of patriotism and love for the country succeeded in uniting them to rise up and fight against colonialism and achieve independence.

He said Sultan Abdullah also encouraged the people to commemorate and appreciate the deeds and contributions of the patriots and freedom fighters, as well as security forces personnel who freed the country from the grip of colonialism and foreign enemies.

"His Majesty also expressed the view that if the spirit of the struggle over six decades ago can be inculcated and nurtured among today’s generation in celebrating this historic day, surely the people will be able to observe and appreciate the value of the spirit of patriotism for the country and racial unity," he said.