KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 21 — The rising trend of racial posturing that has gripped the country in recent years is only going to work against the country both domestically and internationally, several government leaders said today in the aftermath of two recent public rallies that have been linked to racial polarisation.

International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said there are some individuals actively engaged in politics “who believe they can get votes by being extremist”.

“We have to come back to our senses... this is a legitimate concern,” he said in reply to a question from AirAsia Group chief executive Tan Sri Tony Fernandes during a panel discussion at the Economic Update 2015 here.

“We are a nation of moderates. We have said so, and it’s time to go back to the drawing board.

“All of us need to sit down and come out with a good programme for the future and how to promote interracial and interreligious harmony,” Mustapa added.

Racial tensions heightened here last week as thousands thronged Kuala Lumpur to take part in a pro-Malay rally on Malaysia Day, demanding that the non-Malays afford the majority Malays respect as “sons of the soil” and to stop questioning their privileges as outlined in the Federal Constitution.

The situation was compounded by a splinter group of “red shirts” protesters, who clashed with riot police as they attempted to march through Petaling Street, otherwise known as the city’s Chinatown.

Pemandu chief executive Datuk Seri Idris Jala cautioned against underestimating pockets of extremist behaviour, which he said could very easily escalate into a nationwide crisis if left unchecked.

Taking the example of the Syrian refugee crisis currently affecting Europe after over four million have fled to Turkey and Jordan over the past four years, he pointed out that it has all started from a small protest against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad that spiralled out of control after a few of the protesters were shot dead by the police.

“Turns out today it is a full-scale problem... I’m really concerned that if we’re not careful, just two or three people do stupid stuff and that little thing can ignite a conflict.

“We must value our stability. I really worry about people inciting racial tensions and whatever, we don’t know what it can do to our country.

“Whatever we do in our country, we must remain cool. Steady la,” Idris said.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar stressed, however, that Malaysia needs to review its current policies – especially regarding education – if it intends to promote racial integration.

He said he decided to send his two daughters to a public school to give them the opportunity to mingle with other races, but noted that there is no diversity in their school due to the existence of various streams in the public education system.

“Beyond the current issue, we need to look at the longer term perspective too. One of the reasons why we have less integration currently is because our children go to different schools at primary level.

“It’s something we need to deal with, so children all go to one school... a single stream if you like. Like it or not, it’s something we have to deal with in future,” he said.