Kuala Lumpur: Personal interests, political differences and growing hostilities can lead to disunity among members of the Keluarga Malaysia (Malaysia Family), said Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
He said although politics should be a platform for unification, due to political differences it can also cause divisions among the people.
Ismail said this is a huge challenge that needs to be tackled, not only by leaders but also by all members of the Malaysian Family so as to ensure long-term stability in the country.
“If the country is unstable, certain quarters, either domestic or foreign, will try to take advantage to continue destroying the prevailing unity we have,” he said when virtually opening the National Unity Congress today.
Ismail said racial unity in Malaysia had been a model to other communities in the world.
Therefore, Ismail said when he took over as prime minister, the government had taken the initiative to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on transformation and political stability with the opposition Pakatan Harapan on Sept 13.
He said this was to enable all groups in the Malaysian Family, regardless of their political beliefs, to stay united and work together in facing the twin health and economic crises spawned by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, Ismail said every member of the family must practise mutual respect and refrain from raising and discussing sensitive issues.
“Avoid everything that can cause disunity, such as libel and slander, rumours and prejudice.
“Check and double-check everything that we hear before believing it and always appreciate the value of unity,” he said.
Ismail also expressed his appreciation for the National Unity Congress, organised to strengthen ties between the leaders and the people.
Themed “Racial Unity as a Basis of National Wellbeing”, the virtual congress was co-organised by Rabitah International Alumni of Al-Azhar Malaysia and Universiti Malaya Academy of Islamic Studies, with the cooperation of the national unity ministry and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim).
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