KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 25 — Malaysians should avoid ethnic nationalism which will divide the fragile state of multiculturalism here, Datuk Paul Low said today.

The minister in the Prime Minister’s Department said one race should not be made to seem better than other races as it goes against the nation’s constitution.

"We must never put the country in a state where we have ethnic nationalism, where one ethnic group says it is superior than the other.

"We should not allow ethnic nationalism to rise in this country. Such ethnic nationalism will basically expound a philosophy of supremacy, a philosophy of exclusiveness,” Low said during his speech at the Christian Federation of Malaysia Christmas High Tea.

The senator stressed that the principles of the Rukun Negara should be upheld to ensure that Malaysians of different races and religions stay united.

Low also said that the concept of being liberal in Malaysia is misunderstood and it does not mean being free to do anything but being free to practise one’s religion or culture without any hindrances

"Today, when we speak about liberalism, we tend to be afraid. When we talk about liberalism, we’re not talking about being immoral.

"It is being able to speak out in a constructive way. The liberty to practise our religions and celebrate Christmas as well as cultural traditions. That is the kind of liberalism we cherish,” he said.

With the government planning to embark on its National Transformation 2050 plan, Low reminded that any economic plan wouldn’t be successful without cooperation and harmony among the locals.

"If we don’t have engagement with each other among the community, we won’t have cordial relationships, then we will have problems with whatever plans we have,” he stressed, adding that West Malaysians should emulate the unity practised in Sabah and Sarawak.