KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 — It will be a Christmas open house with a difference this year with the incorporation of community programme, Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said.
He said the programme, which includes giving out assistance to the poor and the needy, was to inject new elements into the annual event.
"Apart from the usual programme we should expand the open house to cover new aspects and to direct our energies towards the 1 Malaysia concept," he told reporters after attending the ministry's monthly gathering at the Craft Complex here today.
He said his deputies Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum and Heng Seai Kie would be tasked with finding new ideas for the event, to be held after Dec 25.
In another development, Rais said the ministry would carry out information sessions on the Personal Data Protection Act so that the public would be able utilise its provisions upon enforcement.
"The Act will be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat in the near future. Upon its passing, the ministry will have a new member in the family, which is the Personal Data Protection Commission," he said, adding that the Act would protect personal data of individuals and corporate bodies from manipulation.
In the United States and Europe, personal data protection was common place, he said. "In Malaysia, however, we are just beginning to build our legislative capabilities."
On the national language, Rais said it should be promoted by all, including the private sector, to facilitate the success of 1 Malaysia.
"It will be easy to achieve the 1 Malaysia concept if we have one language and one vision," he said.
Earlier in his speech, Rais said the 1 Malaysia concept would be a uniting force among the ministry's staff members and department heads.
"As a big family, we have a bigger challenge. It is therefore important for us to have the spirit of camaraderie," he said. — Bernama
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