Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin has criticised the press for highlighting racial issues which could cause ethnic division across the country.

"To me, press freedom cannot go beyond the time-tested social contract," Zainuddin said, referring to an agreement made by the country's founding fathers in the federal constitution.

Under the social contract, citizenship was given to non-Malays - mainly minority Chinese and Indian populations - while the majority bumiputras made up of Malays and indigenous groups, retained special rights and privileges.

May 13 book

Zainuddin pointed the finger at certain media groups for questioning the social contract, at the risk of disrupting racial unity which he said "must be maintained at all costs."

Zainuddin also criticised a controversial book on the deadly 1969 race riots saying it would only arouse anxiety among Malaysians.

While the country has largely maintained peaceful ties between multi-ethnic groups, tensions are rising among non-Malay Muslims, who feel their rights are being undermined.