KUALA LUMPUR, April 5 -- The detention of Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh is an expected pre-emptive measure to quell escalating racial and religious tensions in Malaysia, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia's (Bersatu) Youth chief, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Kamal, said.

Speaking to Malay Mail, he said that this is especially the case given the concerns of and pressure from Sabah and Sarawak on the federal government.

"So I think the police, the authorities had to rein in Dr Akmal for the sake of calming down the tension.

"If not, I think it will stoke more tension among Muslims and non-Muslims, which is not good in the long run.

"I hope Dr Akmal remains steadfast and calm, and as the inspector-general of police said, he will be invest...