Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been challenged to join the 'red shirt' rally on Sept 16 if "he is Malay enough".

The dare to Mahathir today came from Jamal Md Yunos, who heads a coalition of Malay NGOs.

"If Tun M (Mahathir) is Malay enough, he will come (for the rally)," Jamal told reporters.

Jamal ( photo ) also lambasted Mahathir for his criticisms of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

"Tun M is not qualified to ask the PM to step down. Only the people and Umno members are qualified (to make the call). The people can determine," he added.

Mahathir had dismissed the need for the 'red shirt' rally, which was initially touted as a gathering to uphold Malay pride and to counter Bersih 4.

This is after Bersih 4, which among others, pressed for Najib's resignation, was criticised from a racial perspective, with the majority of the participants being Chinese Malaysians.

When photographs of two participants stomping on an image of Najib and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang surfaced, provocative posters and images connected to the Sept 16 rally emerged, warning the Chinese of a bloodbath.

Mahathir also ruffled feathers in Umno when he made appearances at the 34-hour Bersih 4 rallyon both days and lashed out at Najib.

The former prime minister is now being investigated for criminal defamation for his remarks.

Earlier, Jamal had also invited Chinese and Indians to take part in the Sept 16 rally, which has been renamed 'Perhimpunan Rakyat Bersatu'.

"This is a Malay rally and we are inviting Chinese and Indians who share the same understanding and thoughts to join us.

"They are the ones who helped maintain the voice of the people in the last general election," Jamal said.

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