A booklet was distributed to central Gerakan delegates yesterday warning Umno Youth to stop playing up racist sentiments.

Entitled 'Penang towards future success', the 28-page booklet printed by the Gerakan Penang branch was given out at the party's 35th Gerakan national delegates conference held at its Menara PGRM headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

Gerakan Penang was responding to Umno Youth's criticism that the state government led by the party had ignored the Malays in their economic development and called for the state's chief ministerial post to be rotated.

The post is currently held by Gerakan deputy president Dr Koh Tsu Koon.

The centrespread of the trilingual publication labelled Umno Youth "immature, irrational and lacks foresight", and warned that if they keep playing up racial issues, it will affect the solidarity within the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition.

The two-page article, written in Chinese, was sandwiched between various press reports on the party's contribution in Penang's economic and social development, including the growth of the textile industry, building of new roads, eco-tourism and public transportation.

Soft approach

The booklet also said that the party will be employing a "soft approach" in its handling of this issue.

It states: "Under the leadership of (past Penang chief minister) Lim Chong Eu and Koh, Penang has become Malaysia's fastest growing economy and this could result in growing envy among racist politicians."

When malaysiakini asked the party's secretary-general Chia Kwang Chye if the booklet was issued to rebut Umno Youths claims, he said 'no'.

"The booklet is not meant to rebut Umno Youth. It has been in publication for a few years now," he said. "If we want to rebut Umno's claims, it will be a never-ending debate."

However, observers have noted that the booklet, which was printed in Penang, was not distributed at last year's conference.