Kuala Lumpur, Jan 14 Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) president S. Samy Vellu in his message on Thursday on Pongal, the annual harvest festival celebrated by Hindus, asked Malaysians to promote unity.

"The unity that was built by our forefathers remains till today, and it is our responsibility to maintain and strengthen that unity because if we fail, the nation will fail," he said in his Pongal message.

Malaysia is home to nearly two million ethnic Indians who live along with majority Malays and ethnic Chinese in a nation of 28 million.

In light of "recent events" that he did not specify, Vellu called on the people "to look at the big picture and not be misled by the actions of a few who were out to destroy the unity and solidarity of the country".

Malaysia last week witnessed attacks on eight churches over the use of the word "Allah" on the masthead of a Catholic magazine.

Vellu called on Indians to set aside their differences and work together in achieving their priorities in life.

He said Malaysians should not forget how the country achieved independence, New Straits Times reported.