It is imperative for the Malay race to stand united as they were, when the country achieved independence, said Umno supreme council member Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He said the Malays then were highly regarded and respected for their spirit of unity, which was instrumental in ending colonial rule in the country.

"But today, the race is divided into 'Umno Malays', 'PAS Malays', 'PKR Malays', and lately 'DAP Malays'.

"If we unite as one, others would not dare to challenge us," he told reporters after opening the Gopeng Umno delegates' meeting in Gopeng today.

Meanwhile, Ismail who is also agriculture and agro-based industry minister, said awareness programmes on middlemen manipulation must continuously be held for farmers, fishermen and breeders.

"However, we cannot stop them if they prefer to deal with middlemen. For instance, the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority has provided a collection centre for their products but they still went to the middlemen," he said.

- Bernama