Malacca MCA today slammed Malay army veterans association president Mohd Ali Baharom for fouling '600 years of Malay-Chinese friendship' in the state.

"The history of Malay-Chinese relations in Malaysia traces its roots from Malacca from over 600 hundred years ago and is best epitomised by the Peranakan culture.

"Malaccans cannot afford to see six centuries of inter-ethnic trust and bonding fizzle out so easily due to belligerence by external forces," Malacca MCA secretary Koh Chin Han said in a statement.

He was replying to Mohd Ali's warning today that there might be "untoward incidents" at a rally organised by him in Melaka Raya this Saturday.

"His warning serves as intimidation to law-abiding and peace-loving citizens," Koh said.

Koh, who is an MCA central committee member, also slammed Ali's decision to hold the rally in Melaka Raya which is walking distance to various schools and historic sites such as the 'A Famosa' Fort.

Immigration officer assaulted

Ali, better know as Ali Tinju (photo) , said the rally will be held this Saturday after 'Chinese gangsters' assaulted an immigration officer on Oct 1.

Police arrested five people following the assault on the immigration officer during a raid on an entertainment outlet.

Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar reportedly said 19 immigration officers were surrounded by more than 40 'gangsters' during the operation.