Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has been urged to instruct Home Affairs Minister Azmi Khalid to apologize to Indian Muslims for his usage of the word "mamak"on them.

Telling the premier to get his minister to say "sorry' was DAP chairperson Karpal Singh. He was quoted in Chinese daily Nanyang Siang Pau as saying that he supported the request of three Indian Muslim societies in Johor who asked Azmi not to use the word "mamak" as a reference to them anymore.

According to Karpal, although the word "mamak" is used by Indians to address elder males, the tone and attitude of Azmi while using that particular word were unfair and insulting to Indian Muslims.

He hoped that the prime minister would instruct Azmi to apologise and inform his cabinet members to be careful while making statements about 'mamak'.

"Normally, words are not the real problem. It is the tone and attitude while speaking which could cause trouble," he said.

No petrol price hike

Meanwhile, a report in the Oriental Daily News said that petrol price will not be increased this year but the relevant ministries will be monitoring the situation

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mustapa Mohamad said international petroleum prices could actually be stabilised but there are a few unidentified reasons that will worsen the situation.

Asked about the possibility of an increase of petrol price by the government, he assured that it will not be increased this year.

On the pricing next year, Mustapa said the government will monitor the issue closely based on the subsidised petrol price and other causes.

He added that the government has set up a cabinet committee to study the possible effects on the country as a result of the high increase in petrol price.