Malaysian PM appeals for inter-racial unity

National Day celebrations:

MALAYSIA: Malaysia's Premier made a plea for unity in the multicultural nation Monday, as celebrations to mark its independence anniversary were marred by fresh racial and religious rows.

Najib called on Malaysians to "repair the bridges and tear down the divisive walls" that exist between the races here even 52 years after nationhood and the end of colonial rule.

"Bear in mind that what we have now will not necessarily become better. On the contrary, we can lose it all if we are not careful," he said in his first National Day address since coming to power in April.

Najib has launched a "One Malaysia" campaign to address barriers between the nation's ethnic groups - Muslim Malays who dominate the population, and ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities.

The new Premier is working to win back support from Malaysia's minorities, who swung towards the opposition in national elections last year that handed the ruling coalition its worst ever results.

Racial and religious rows continue to erupt, including an incident on Friday when Muslim protesters trampled on a severed cow's head in protest at the building of a Hindu temple.

Kuala Lumpur, Monday, AFP