On June 26, 2009, the launch of the "1Malaysia" logo was held at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, and his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah were present to unveil the logo. The launch was held in conjunction with the mass aerobic exercise routine of "Senam Seni Malaysia," a Malaysian-style exercise routine which incorporates martial arts and traditional dance movements. The Prime Minister and other Cabinet ministers joined around 10,000 people in the mass exercise including 40 SGM members from Kuala Lumpur.

The 1Malaysia concept was introduced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib as his vision towards creating a harmonious multicultural society, and a call to Malaysians to accept diversity as a source of strength in achieving a prosperous nation. Making an analogy to the blue, white, red and yellow T-shirts worn by participants, the Prime Minister said that although they were wearing differing colours, they were moving together towards the same goal. "It will be useless if we have a large pool of intellectuals, abundant natural resources, and the best technologies if all are not rooted on the same axis moving in one direction as a nation."