As Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak vowed that Malay silat practitioners would defend the government till death, national laureate A Samad Said dismissed the martial art as "national treasure meant for show", not for self-defence.

"I agree that this is a manifestation of Malay fears. In this era, we no longer use silat.

"To me, silat is a national treasure meant for show, and not really for self-defence. Today, if we duel with someone, our opponent can just shoot us from afar and need not use a keris.

"But symbolically, it shows Malay fears over what is happening today," Samad, who recently joined DAP, told a forum 'Growing up Malaysian, Young Malay experiences' in Petaling Jaya today.

The forum was held in conjunction with the book launch of 'Young & Malay' and 'Merdeka for the Mind' by Gerakbudaya Publication.

In a fiery speech to 15,000 silat practitioners yesterday, Najib congratulated them for willing to fight to death in upholding his government.

The Umno president also declared red shirt rally as peaceful with no provocation.

Samad, a veteran political observer, said BN's current over-reliance of Malay support does not bode well for the country and could lead to a state of emergency.

He said most non-Malays have deserted BN while the Malay support is divided to BN-Umno, PAS and PKR.

"I predict there might be a state of emergency before the next general elections.

"If not, if the government remains weak after the next general elections, then it might happen after the elections," he cautioned.

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