Political party leaders and supporters were reminded to respect the federal constitution in their speeches and statements to avoid creating conflicts among the people.
     
Dewan Negara president Abu Zahar Ujang ( right ) said the federal constitution was a sacrosanct instrument aimed at safeguarding peace and the people's wellbeing, hence political party leaders should be more knowledgeable about the constitution.
    
"But now more and more people have become bold to question the provisions in the constitution with regard to religion, language, race and the institution of royal rulers," he told reporters at a 'Cinta Negara' (Love the Nation) programme in Tumpat yesterday.
    
Abu Zahar said the government should act tough and not compromise with any form of action that threatened the constitutional provisions.
    
The 'Cinta Negara' programme, organised by the Malaysian Senators Council and the  Council of Former Elected Representatives (Mubarak), was participated by more than 100 members of the Tumpat Tomoi Boxing Association who are mostly youths and teenagers from the Pengkalan Kubor area.
    
The state constituency will see a by-election this Sept 25 between Barisan Nasional candidate Mat Razi Mat Ail, PAS candidate Wan Rosdi Wan Ibrahim and an independent, Izat Bukhary Ismail Bukhary.
    
The by-election is being held following the death of the area's assemblyperson Noor Zahidi Omar from liver cancer on Aug 20.
 
- Bernama