SHAH ALAM - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has issued a stern warning against those who were using race and religion ahead of a Sunday's rally that suggests that Malays are under siege.
Anwar said he will not tolerate the slightest bit of any form of racial provocation and will follow the federal constitution as he pledges to ensure the government remains inclusive.
However, Anwar refrained from saying if he would call off Sunday's rally, according to a report in the Malay Mail.
"We said we are inclusive so any statements that are irresponsible will not be tolerated because we cannot run from the fact that Malaysia must remain peaceful, orderly and is developed by Malay Bumiputera, the Chinese and Indians, ethnicities like the Dayaks, Ibans and Melanaus, the Kadazan-Dusun and others,” he told the media after chairing a post-Cabinet meet in Putrajaya.
"As such I would like to stress again that we will not compromise on this. Any effort by any party who tries to instigate or escalate religious or racial tension in this country will not be permitted," he added.
Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will be one of the key speakers at the Sunday's 'Malay Proclamation' rally which is organised by Sekretariat Tanah Air, and to be held at the Impiana KLCC hotel.
It was reported that the rally will discuss matters surrounding the plight of the Malays.
Anwar also responded to criticism of the Youth and Sports ministry over a programme that has drawn criticsm from conservative Muslims.
"We must stress that whatever attacks or insults against the unity government we remain steadfast to uphold the Federal Constitution,” he said.
"If there are any disputes it must be defused amicably without wrongful assumptions or prejudices.
"This includes the recent issue of parties visiting the mosques that should have no involvement of the government, but if there was any breach of rules or even rattling the sensitivity of certain races it must be diffused through dialogue," he said.