Malaysian king calls for unity amid racial tensions

Malaysia's king has appealed for calm amid growing racial tensions in the Muslim-majority country after an electoral earthquake in May toppled the Malay-dominated coalition that had ruled the country for decades.

In his inaugural address to lawmakers during the new parliament session, King Sultan Muhammad V urged "every citizen to preserve and strengthen" Malaysia's "peace and unity."
"Race relations are a bit tense. Malays are restless. We feel Islam is being treated badly (by the new government)." "We feel the current government is not able to protect Malay rights, Islam, the Malay language and the Malay rulers."