He said this was in order to set an example for the country’s youth to emulate.

In an apparent dig at Perikatan Nasional (PN), Akmal said the younger generation of leaders and politicians in the unity government will not turn to “extremist rhetoric”.

“We are focused on achieving (racial and religious) harmony for the sake of the country,” he said at the unity government convention at the World Trade Centre here.

Commenting on Umno and Barisan Nasional’s (BN) cooperation with Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the unity government, which certain quarters have described as a “forced marriage”, Akmal said it was better to be “forced into a marriage than having to cooperate with those who are disloyal”, alluding to former Umno leaders in Bersatu.

Meanwhile, PKR Youth chief Adam Adli said the unity government convention was a platform for all parties in the Anwar Ibrahim-led administration to come to a consensus in “creating a better nation”.

“After decades of being political enemies, it’s time we draw a line,” he said.

Adam acknowledged that cooperation between the various parties in the unity government will pose a challenge at times as there are many differences to resolve.

However, he called for the leaders of each party’s youth wings to take on the responsibility of resolving differences and lead by example.

Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) deputy youth chief Lukanisman Awang Sauni said a youth-level consultative council would be established for all parties in the unity government to foster better cooperation among the existing wings.

Lukanisman, who is also the deputy health minister, said the council was expected to be implemented after the convention ends today.

“We have formed a ‘geng perpaduan’ (unity group) as a platform for our movement and we will call for a meeting,” he said.