A coalition of NGOs has responded to race-baiting in government-owned media following the BN's disastrous showing in the May 5 general election with a multiracial solidarity gathering in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.

Converging opposite Pudu Sentral last night, more than 100 people, most of them clad in black, sang songs, recited poems and spoke out against racism.

may 13 vigil kuala lumpur 130513 01 Armed with carnations and candles, some of the placards carried by the people read: "My religion loves, not prejudices", "Smash racism" and "Racism is so 1969".

"We are gathered here against the racial rhetoric of politicians. We need to speak out against this.

"Our politicians like to raise the spectre of the May 13, 1969 race riots, but it should not be used to frighten the people," said Justice for Teoh Beng Hock coordinator Ng Yap Hwa.

Among the other organisers of the event were Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia, Komas, WargaAMAN, Malaysian Indian Progressive Association, the Women's Section of the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall and Kill the Bill.

may 13 vigil kuala lumpur 130513 04 The gathering, on the 44th anniversary of the May 13 race riots, was aimed at turning the black event into a day of unity amid toxic, racial rhetoric by BN leaders and politicians after a large swing of votes against the ruling coalition.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak described the 13th general election result as a "Chinese tsunami", while Umno supreme council member Mohd Ali Rustam called Chinese Malaysians "ungrateful".

This was followed with Umno-owned daily Utusan Malaysia publishing a report on its front page with the headline "What more do the Chinese want?"

At a forum on Sunday, retired Court of Appeal judge Mohd Noor Abdullah also warned the Chinese of a backlash for their "betrayal" of the ruling coalition.

'Don't racialise GE13'

"We should not racialise the general election result," said Ng.

may 13 vigil kuala lumpur 130513 02 There were also music performances and poem recitals in Malay, Chinese and Tamil.

"The government has stayed in power by using racism. It is time for Malaysians to say no to racism," declared social activist E Nailini.

"We want to keep racism out and foster unity among Malaysians," said a participant, Shauqie Aziz.

The gathering last night was among several other gatherings held yesterday at which ordinary Malaysians too spoke out against racism.

Earlier yesterday afternoon, a group of students calling themselves Angkatan Pembebasan Bangsa Malaysia held a flash mob against racism at Dataran Merdeka.

Police detained four of their members, who were told the venue was not suitable for their event. They were later released.

PKR journal Keadilan Daily reported the flash mob organiser Haizal Yatiran as saying that their intention was to counter race-baiting in the Umno-owned media.