The government was urged today to set up a national unity council to forge stronger ties between the country's different ethnic groups.

Opposition Leader Fadzil Noor told reporters in the Parliament's lobby that the recent Petaling Jaya Selatan racial clashes, which claimed six lives and injured scores more, have shown that the relationship between the major ethnic groups is far from satisfactory.

"As the recent violence is easily ignited by racial tension, we must take comprehensive and effective measures to enhance mutual understanding between the races," he said.

He added that the idea of a National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) was suggested and approved at a Barisan Alternatif meeting last Thursday.

According to BA's proposal, the NUCC should be established as an act of Parliament, free from the control of the executive power.

It is also suggested that NUCC members should be appointed by the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, and the council be made directly responsible to the Parliament.

The opposition front hoped that the government will give a positive response before the current Parliamentary session ends on May 3, and that a bill on NUCC will be tabled in its next session.

"We suggest that the government invites related organisations and influential persons to discuss national unity issues in the council," said Fadzil, who is also PAS president.

Existing body ineffective

Meanwhile, Keadilan deputy president Dr Chandra Muzaffar said that the existing National Unity Advisory Panel, which was set up by the government, has failed to perform its task over the past 32 years.

"The mechanism is ineffective. We need a body that is free and bold enough to reveal the weaknesses of the government," he said.

He pointed out that one of the reasons for the Petaling Jaya Selatan clashes is uneven development, leaving pockets of poverty in the many urban areas.

"If the NUCC is not independent, they will not be able to investigate and reveal to the public what exactly had happened, and offer a fair suggestion," said Chandra.

BA had on Feb 16 sent a letter requesting Barisan Nasional president and other leaders of its component parties to take part in a national unity talk; however they have yet to receive a response.

"Unity should not be focused on one particular ethnic group. We should focus on national unity," Chandra said.

He added that BA will send a formal letter to inform BN about the NUCC in the next few days.