KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 24 – Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said Umno must continue to strengthen and avoid any split that will make the Malays weakened as had happened during the 22-month of Pakatan Harapan (PH) rule.

He also called on Malaysians to reject politics of hatred and slander and together explore a new beginning for the nation in post-COVID-19 era

“I am very confident with all the history and past events that have plunged us into the ruin of a plural country for a while will make us more mature and rational in determining the direction of the country for the future generations,” he said in a media statement today.

He who is also the Senior Minister (Defense) said as long as BN/UMNO becomes the government, it has been proven that the country is well governed and the attitude of mutual respect between races is always maintained.

“Not just the Malays/Bumiputeras have their rights guaranteed but other races and cultures to co-exist in the spirit of Malaysian diversity.

“Therefore, other races do not have to worry at all if UMNO, which is a component in BN, becomes the backbone of the country again,” he said, adding that in seeking the people’s trust, UMNO also needs to learn from mistakes of the past, especially during GE-14.

“It is not wrong for us to admit mistakes and learn from it in order to rebuild the integrity of the party. Remember, a single skewer is too easy to break but if it becomes a bundle, it becomes strong and sturdy.”

He also stressed the importance of Malay/Bumiputera unity in the face of an increasingly challenging world of politics.

“Whether we like it or not, we cannot deny that the 15th General Election is around the corner. Racial diversity in Malaysia is a uniqueness and cannot be found in other countries. The spirit of mutual respect between races and religions is a symbol of Malaysia’s pluralism.

“However, the 22-month period under PH has tore the integration. How can we forget the misery perpetrated by PH as long when we lost many potential foreign investors. ”

Ismail also ensure that he is consistent speaking and fighting for the Malay race while respecting others in the country.

“We have been fighting COVID-19 almost a year, it has changed our normal lives and it teaches us the importance to obey the rules and how we can adapt to the new norms We are going through it together and there is hope of success when the vaccine is already here,” he said.