KUALA LUMPUR: Youth delegates of various parties today called for a political ceasefire among Malay leaders during Ramadan to ensure unity among the country's largest community.
During a rare "buka puasa" event consisting of delegates from Umno, Pas, Bersatu, PKR and Parti Amanah Negara, the youth leaders said it was time for the top guns of their respective parties to find a common ground and work toward uniting the Malays.
They are of the opinion that the ceasefire is extremely vital given that the Malay community is currently divided into several groups due to differences in political ideologies.
Umno Titiwangsa youth chief Datuk Nazir Hussin Akhtar Hussin urged leaders at the national level to stop the hatred for one another as that could further divide the Malays.
"The whole purpose of us organising today's event is to prove that all youth leaders in this country can sit together in the same room despite having different political ideologies.
"If we, the youth, can do this, it means the top leadership can do the same. They can put their differences aside and think about moving forward. Do it now during the month of Ramadan, don't wait for Hari Raya.
"Personally, I would also like to urge Umno supreme council members as well as leaders of other Malay parties to take the first step just like what the youth are doing tonight," he said during a press conference after the buka puasa event here today.
Instead of the current disunity, he said a new coalition consisting of Malay-based and Malay-majority parties should be seriously considered.
Asked if youth leaders of opposition parties at the Federal Territory level have voiced their support for the idea, Nazir said based on the conversations he had, the sentiment was positive.
"Or at least at the Titiwangsa level, we have no problem with all youth leaders from different parties. There is no problem with us at the lower level.
"The problem is with the top. It is quite easy dealing with us, the youth. As long as you are doing the right thing, we will follow you."
Nazir's view was echoed by Pas Federal Territory chief Rashidi Abd Razak who urged Malay leaders to stop the ongoing bickering and work towards Malay-Muslim unity.
"All this while we have been fighting with one another, sometimes over petty things to the point that we forget that Malay-Muslim unity is very important.
"As mentioned before, Pas wants unity. We can work with anyone as long as they are not extreme (in their views)," he said.