Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Wednesday urged the country's multi-ethnic population to be united and tolerant, at a time of worsening racial discord."I urge all Malaysians to promote understanding, tolerance and unity because all these are the key to peace and prosperity," he said in a message to mark Chinese New Year.
"Malaysia does not belong to any one individual or race, but belongs to all Malaysians," he added.
Malaysia has in recent months been shaken by unprecedented protests alleging discrimination against minority ethnic Indians at the hands of the Muslim Malays who dominate the population.
Five ethnic Indian activists who organised a mass rally last November have been jailed under controversial internal security legislation that provides for detention without trial.
Religious and racial issues are extremely sensitive in multi-ethnic Malaysia, which experienced deadly race riots in 1969.
Abdullah said Malaysians should be thankful that they could celebrate various festivals observed by different ethnic groups in a harmonious environment, and vowed to preserve these cultural traditions.
"As the prime minister, I am committed towards creating a Malaysian community that is dynamic, progressive and lives in peace and harmony," he said.
But commentators have sounded alarm over the growing "Islamisation" of the country and the increasing polarisation of the three main ethnic communities, which mix much less than in the past.
In recent months, there have been controversies over a ban on a Catholic newspaper using the word "Allah", the rights of non-Muslim spouses and the destruction of Hindu temples.
Malays make up 60 percent of the population, with ethnic Chinese at 26 percent and Indians at eight percent.
Agence France-Presse - 2/6/2008 9:06 AM
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