Johor bahru: The people of Johor are urged to continue embracing the spirit of Bangsa Johor and strengthen unity to achieve shared success, while safeguarding the state's harmony and stability. This is an important message that Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi wishes to convey to the people of the state ahead of the fourth anniversary of his administration on March 15.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Datuk Onn Hafiz emphasized that for Johor to progress, the unity of Bangsa Johor is essential because it is through unity that strength is built. He made these remarks in a recent interview led by editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj at Saujana, the official residence of the Johor Menteri Besar. Onn Hafiz noted Johor's ability to remain largely free from religious and racial conflicts compared to several other states in recent times.

He highlighted that divisions and turmoil observed in several foreign countries only serve to undermine stability and hamper economic growth as well as investment opportunities. Onn Hafiz credited the uniqueness of the Bangsa Johor concept, founded by the Johor Sultanate institution, as instrumental in preserving racial and religious harmony in the state.

The Bangsa Johor concept, dating back to 1920, has always emphasized the importance of unity among the multiracial communities living and earning a livelihood in Johor. According to Onn Hafiz, the inclusive approach of the Johor Sultanate, which embraces all levels of society regardless of background, has contributed to the enduring spirit of togetherness in Johor.

However, Onn Hafiz cautioned that the harmony enjoyed in the state should not be taken lightly and must be preserved through the collective efforts of all parties. "That is a unique strength we have nurtured since the beginning, but it must continue to be preserved. It is not something that is simply given; it requires all of us to keep working together to maintain that harmony. Hopefully, we can continue to maintain it," he said.

The Bangsa Johor concept is a unique identity that has long been embedded in Johor and its social fabric since the 1920s, when the late Sultan Ibrahim Abu Bakar first introduced and used the term.