Information Communication and Culture Minister Rais Yatim said the call for the Malays to be united should not be questioned nor taken lightly.

He said the Malays should be proud of their origins and long history, which was further indicated by the latest archaeological findings in Lembah Bujang, and their own strengths, and had the power to determine their own future.

"Hence, I share the same sentiments as those expressed by our leaders that the Malay Muslim community in this country should be united to remain strong and remain in power in their own land."

Rais said this after handing over contributions to 38 mosques in the Jelebu parliamentary constituency at the Lui Selatan 1 mosque in Jelebu in conjunction with the coming Ramadan.

Rais, who is also Jelebu MP, said the Malay community should not get caught in the ambitions of others out to gain power to serve their own interest.

He said the calls made by Umno leaders like Najib Abdul Razak and his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin for the Malays to be united were made based on history and for the sake of their own future, as well as in the interest of the nation.

"Therefore, the Malays should not look back except at their history, but to look forward and together build a better future for the ummah (community).

"Our own religion (Islam) enjoins us to cooperate with one another and not be divided.

"If we don't practise this, it means we do not really understand  Islamic teachings," he said.

- Bernama