Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia has warned that Ambiga Sreenevasan who recently announced a new movement to combat racism, could instead attract extremism.

 

"The Malaysian people's anger towards her, particularly among the Muslims on many issues, has yet to subside.

 

"Do not be a contemptible person who thinks of herself as noble (kaduk naik junjung), the worry is it will attract extremism," said Awang Selamat, the newspaper's pseudonym used to express its editorial stance.

 

The newspaper was responding to the newly set up NGO Negara-Ku that is being spearheaded by Ambiga and national laureate A Samad Said ( right ).

 

In an editorial piece in Mingguan Malaysia , its Sunday edition, the daily took offence at the NGO's name which is the same as the national anthem.

 

"In Malaysia, anyone can set up an NGO but do not misuse the name 'Negaraku', what more for political purposes," it said.

 

The newspaper accused Ambiga of setting up the NGO to aid opposition parties such as PKR and DAP.

 

It urged the Registrar of Societies (ROS) not to allow Negara-Ku to register as an NGO under its current name.

 

"Let it be an illegal organisation unless the name is changed to AgendaKu. It is more fitting with Ambiga' record and reputation.”

 

The Negara-Ku movement is seen as a response to growing voice of right-wing groups such as Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) and Perkasa which have issued racially-charged remarks in recent months.