Personal interests, political differences can lead to disunity - PM Ismail Sabri

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said politics should be a platform of unification, but due to political differences, it can also be a cause of separation.

He 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 assure long-term stability in the country.

"If the country is (politically) 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 Sabri said racial unity had existed for so long in Malaysia as the principle had been preserved among the people in the spirit of goodwill and harmony, to the extent of being an exemplary model to other communities in the world.

Therefore, Ismail Sabri said when he took over as Prime Minister, the government had taken the initiative to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Transformation and Political Stability with Pakatan Harapan on Sept 13.

He said this was to enable all quarters in the Malaysian Family, regardless of the political beliefs, to stay united and work together in facing the twin health and economic crises spawned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri wanted every member of the family to practise mutual respect and to refrain from raising and discussing sensitive issues.

"Avoid everything that could cause disunity such as libel and slander, rumours and prejudice. Check and double-check everything that we heard before believing it and always appreciate the value of unity," he said.

Ismail Sabri also expressed appreciation for the organising of the National Unity Congress which aimed at paving the way to stronger unity in Keluarga Malaysia and to realising the aspiration to cement closer ties between leaders and the people.

In fact, he said the organising of such an event should be emulated by all quarters to strengthen racial unity and harmony for the wellbeing of the people and stability of the country.

"It is also in line with the concept of Keluarga Malaysia introduced by the government to assure race and religious harmony," he said.

Themed 'Racial Unity Basis of National Wellbeing', the virtual congress was co-organised by Rabitah International Alumni of Al-Azhar Malaysia and Universiti Malaya (UM) Academy of Islamic Studies with the cooperation from the Ministry of National Unity and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim).

Over 1,000 participants comprising academicians, community leaders, religious scholars as well as local and foreign students including from Egypt, are participating in the two-day congress beginning today.

In his speech, Ismail Sabri also expressed hope that the congress could become a platform for knowledge sharing among the participants to reassess the aspects of unity in the country and to find the best mechanism in tackling racial issues according to the current situation and challenges.

"Closer cooperation among the scholars and political leaders is very much needed to get the best formula to preserve the prevailing unity and harmony for the future generations," he added.