MIC president S Samy Vellu today called for the writer of an offensive article published in the Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia to be charged with sedition.

"I deplore the racial slur made by the writer of the local Malay daily where he had indirectly referred to the Chinese and Indians of Malaysia as ' kaum pendatang ' (immigrants).

samy vellu exclusive on tamil schools 080708 06 "It is most disgusting, despicable and shocking. I suspect the writer is not part of the newspaper, but has been using it (the newspaper) to promote his own agenda," he said in a statement.

According to Samy Vellu, the Utusan writer with the pen-name Awang Selamat, "must, and should be, charged in court under the Sedition Act."

"His comments are most unbecoming, especially with our prime minister promoting the 1Malaysia concept," he said.

In view of this, Samy Vellu said MIC wants the government to take immediate action against the writer for stirring ill-feelings among Malaysians, especially the Chinese and Indians.

He added that even Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin remarked that racially-slanted statements were unacceptable and is against the '1Malaysia' concept.

'Despicable act'

Samy Vellu stressed that the Indian Malaysian community will not accept such remarks and demand that the writer withdraw his comments immediately and apologise to all Malaysians.

"He has hurt our feelings and tarnished the good name of the government. We cannot allow this sort of action to continue," he said.

"This despicable act proves the urgency for Indians to unite to speak with one voice. Let us set aside our differences and put our minds together. Let us mobilise our strength and move ahead.

"We must join forces with other peace-loving Malaysians and make the '1 Malaysia' concept a reality. The time has come for us to stand up and redeem our pride. Let us start now, or forever we will suffer," he added.

Samy Vellu also noted that the Utusan writer had dented the prime minister’s sincere and genuine attempt to unite all Malaysians.

Yesterday, Muhyiddin said Utusan must respect the position of all races in the country and not publish articles with a racial slant.

The deputy premier was responding to a Malaysiakini report which quoted former Umno minister Zaid Ibrahim slamming the writer of the article, titled ' Melayu dikhianati? ' (Malays betrayed).

Among others, Zaid said the article reminded him of how far removed the paper is from the reality of life in Malaysia.