Those fanning "Sabah for Sabahans" and "Sarawak for Sarawakians" sentiments will be met with severe punishment, warned Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

"The actions of certain quarters inciting the people with these slogans...are against the Federal Constitution.

"We must fight those playing with fire, and who are trying to create anarchy and national instability," Zahid said at the launch of the Umno wings general assembly at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur tonight.

He added that such actions were a serious offence which carry serious punishments...