Johor DAP chief Liew Chin Tong has suggested to Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin to form a multiethnic party to keep Pakatan Harapan on its toes.

As the opposition, Liew noted that it will be even harder for Umno/BN to attract the young generation to their side, especially since the Malaysian political tsunami on May 9 was also the rise of the youth.

"Perhaps if Khairy quits Umno and forms a new multiethnic party, it will keep Pakatan Harapan on its toes; and that will be good for the people," Liew said in a statement today.

Khairy had previously hinted at a multiracial Umno, stressing that all options should be considered, following BN's defeat in the election.

While noting that some BN leaders were mulling a multiracial future, Liew wondered whether they have the political will to pull it through.

"I don’t deny that there are also elements in the society who are hoping to create a “Donald Trump backlash” by whipping up racial sentiments among those who are economically left out. We have to be aware of this possibility.

"I also don’t deny that there are those who may want to create an Indonesia’s 'Ahok' situation by whipping up religious sentiments," he said, referring to the former Jakarta governor's case.

Peace and harmony will prevail

Despite this, Liew is confident that peace and harmony will prevail.

"The reconciliation between the two political giants Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Anwar Ibrahim, the sense of common purpose and destiny in the recent election that was felt by all, and hopefully an economic policy framework that favours ordinary Malaysians, would help build a common Malaysian future," he said.

Liew also suggested that the Harapan government implements various reforms to the electoral system which were recommended by Bersih and civil society groups on electoral reforms. Among the proposals was to bring down the voting age to 18.

"The more youths participating in an election, the harder it will be for the ageing BN to make a comeback.

"Having said this, Pakatan Harapan must not rest on its laurels. The new government must remember that Malaysians no longer fear the government of the day, and they know that a change of government will be peaceful.

"They are no longer afraid to make change," said Liew, who added that he had been reminded by many Malaysians to run the country well or they will be voting the government out if it doesn't.

And for democracy to work, Liew stressed the importance of a credible opposition.

The first move, he said, is for Umno/BN to disassociate themselves from the legacies of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.

"Najib and his wife Rosmah Mansor have been a toxic factor for the former government, at least since July 2015.

"To have Zahid Hamidi and Hishammuddin Hussein as the new leaders of Umno won’t do much to salvage BN’s reputation. They are still associated with Najib’s legacies," Liew added.