Umno leaders must cease stoking racial sentiments and learn to articulate issues if they hope to redeem their credibility, Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan (Patriot) said today.

Patriot president Mohamed Arshad Raji said the racially-charged Himpunan Melayu Bangkit rally organised by Umno leaders in Pasir Salak last Saturday did not bode well for unity in the country.

"Patriot urges these Umno leaders to conduct themselves as mature politicians and articulate national and social issues well, as this is the best way to redeem their lost credibility.

"They have to cease stoking and fomenting issues that can cause resentment among the Malaysian population.

"Otherwise, this race- and religion-centric party will see its speedy demise," he said in a statement today.

Arshad also noted that Umno leaders have lost their sense of reasoning in painting the current government as being controlled by non-Malays, calling them "mentally challenged."

"The rights of the Malays and that of the Malay rulers are well entrenched in the Federal Constitution.

"If Umno that had led the nation for the last 60 years still says that the Malays and the Malay rulers need to be protected, then there must be something seriously wrong with the previous government policies done by Umno itself," he said.

Arshad also urged Umno to set aside its animosity towards the new Pakatan Harapan government.

"Abandon the unhealthy tactic to stir race and religious issues. By all means function as an effective opposition as a check-and-balance to the ruling party," he said.