Almost half a century later, the spectre of the May 13, 1969 race riots continues to haunt Malaysia, especially with politicians summoning it for their respective agendas.

However, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman is hoping to perform an exorcism instead.

Syed Saddiq, who was born more than two decades after the incident, has roped in a friend Chang Hok Soon with the hope of making tomorrow a day of positivity and racial harmony instead of serving as a grim reminder of racial bloodletting.

Donning their respective cultural attires and turning themselves into human billboards featuring the words - 'Saya Anak Malaysia' (I am a Malaysian) - the pair would visit sites linked to the riots.

At these sites, the two friends would deliver speeches on fostering racial unity as well as distribute 1,000 'unity letters' to the public.

"We want to show that despite past grievances, Malaysians have succeeded in overcoming all obstacles and remain united to this day.

"Nothing to do with politics, no slamming Umno or the opposition, but how Malaysians can overcome racial dis-uninty," Syed Saddiq told a press conference in Petaling Jaya today.

The former top debater said this was a personal initiative which had nothing to do with politics.

Syed Saddiq said he was inspired to do this following the assault of a Chinese man outside a mosque in Johor last week, videos of which have since gone viral on social media.

The incident occured when the man honked repeatedly during Friday prayers due to his car being blocked by vehicles parked outside the mosque. This angered those at the mosque, who then assaulted him.

However, Syed Saddiq was reluctant to reveal the full details of his plan, fearing that the police might attempt to stop him.

The May 13, 1969 racial riots had claimed at least 100 lives.

Among others, one of the catalysts was the opposition making significant gains against the ruling Alliance coalition in the general election held that year.