Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin today urged citizens to preserve peace and harmony, in an appeal that comes as ethnic discord continues to seethe in the multicultural nation.

"They must steer clear of actions that will create tensions, being disrespectful to one another, refrain from harping on sensitive issues and defying the law," Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin said in a speech.

The king said that every effort should be made to ensure the nation was free from elements that could harm peace, harmony, stability and people's wellbeing, the state news agency Bernama reported.

Malaysia has been shaken by unprecedented protests alleging discrimination against minority ethnic Indians at the hands of the Muslim Malays who dominate the population.

Five ethnic Indian activists who organised a mass rally last November have been jailed under controversial internal security legislation that provides for detention without trial.

Grateful to God

Religious and racial issues are extremely sensitive in multi-ethnic Malaysia, which experienced deadly race riots in 1969.

Malays make up 60 percent of the population, with ethnic Chinese at 26 percent and Indians at eight percent.

Meanwhile, Tuanku Mizan also implored Muslims in the country to progress in tandem with the nation's rapid growth and excellence in diverse fields.

"They must be thankful and grateful to God in their deeds, conduct and ways blessed by Allah," he said.

He urged Muslims to learn valuable lessons from the Hijrah event and invited them to take proactive actions to improve their achievements.

"Muslims must self-evaluate themselves and be conscious of their achievements at all times in line with the theme of this year's Maal Hijrah celebrations "Producing People of Excellence," he said.