A coalition of 12 Malay NGOs have slammed the attitude of several BN component parties for continuing to oppose the Interlok novel being used in secondary schools.

In a statement today, they described their attempt to “sensationalise” the controversy as rude and could erode the racial harmony which the country has enjoyed over the years.

"Let us remind the BN component parties that they may have been forgetful in their pursuit of power in view of the coming elections. Stop all this immediately before the feelings of the Malays are hurt further."

"Remember, we will not allow the harmony that we have built to be destroyed by such opportunists," the statement said.

The NGOs include Malay rights groups such as Perkida. 

MIC is among the most vocal critics of the Interlok novel, which detractors claim to contain disparaging passages on non-Malays, being picked as a school textbook for Form Five students.

The Malay NGOs urged the government to stay firm on the issue and reject the demand for Interlok to be replaced so that the pride of the Malays be protected.

"We will persevere to ensure the sovereignty of the original sons of the soil be preserved and that harmony be maintained at all costs."

A number of prominent Chinese groups are among 45 organisations which inked a joint statement criticising the government's decision to retain the controversial novel as a compulsory textbook.

In a strongly-worded statement, the civil society groups yesterday ticked off the novel for attempting to indoctrinate Form Five students with the 'Malay supremacy' ideology.

Describing Interlok as an “insidious poison”, the civil society groups accused the novel of propagating the ideology of ‘Ketuanan Melayu’.

The Malay NGOs said the civil society groups appeared to harbour certain political ambition in their attempt to continue stirring up the sensitive issue.