Racial ties in multicultural Malaysia have weakened, particularly among young people, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad warned at the weekend.

The government would take steps to check this unhealthy trend, Mahathir said — an apparent reference to plans for compulsory national service for young people of all races.

Malaysia's population of 23 million is made up of 65 percent Malays and other indigenous groups, 26 percent ethnic Chinese and nearly eight percent ethnic Indians.

Deadly race riots in 1969 have never been forgotten here, and governing is a racial balancing act in a country where Muslim Malays hold political power and ethnic Chinese dominate the economy.

Unity and understanding

Mahathir, speaking during the Indian Deepavali celebration of good over evil, said that while Malaysia was an Islamic country "the minority races need not feel threatened or fear losing their identities".

However, he said, young Malaysian now tended to mix mainly with people of their own race.

"Malaysia will not progress if there is no unity and understanding among the people. For the sake of the country, the government will take measures to further promote interaction, especially among the younger geneneration."

Although Mahathir gave no details in his Saturday address, he was apparently referring to plans announced last week to make national service compulsory for youths.

Own model

Defence Minister Najib Razak, who heads a special cabinet committee studying the proposal, said the national call-up would include basic military training but would not simply be service in the armed forces.

"We will develop our own model," he said.

The proposal for national service was made at a National Patriotism Congress attended by members of parliament, and was immediately backed by Mahathir as a way of boosting racial integration. — AFP