PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, in a Christmas Eve message, urged Malaysians to strengthen their ties through such festivities.

He said this was particularly necessary coming out of events that threatened to destabilise our way of life.

"It is during these festive times that we should strengthen the ties that bind us, especially as our country has recently witnessed attempts at hijacking our peaceful co-existence by vested interests whose goals are nothing short of destabilising our way of life," he said in a statement today.

Anwar did not specify what the attempts were.

The country saw two nights of riots near the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple last month, which had sparked rhetoric that was sometimes racial in nature.

"Malaysia will only progress when we move beyond narrow-minded prejudice.

"As we approach the upcoming new year, let us renew our vows and pledge to not take the peace that we have for granted.

"Let us work harder in ensuring the progress together as a nation that is united even as we face the challenges of 2019," he said.