Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein today urged the opposition, especially the Islamic-based PAS, to state their stand on the allegations raised by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).

The allegations are contained in a memorandum drawn up by Hindraf's legal adviser P Uthayakumar and sent to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

In the memorandum, Hindraf is appealing to Britain to move an emergency resolution to condemn ethnic cleansing of Indians in Malaysia.

It also asks that Malaysia be referred to the World Court and International Criminal Court for crimes against Indians in the country and against victimisation by Muslim extremists.

A peeved Hishammuddin said Hindraf was playing with fire by raising sensitive issues and making wild allegations.

He warned that if the matter is not dealt with properly, it could lead to racial conflict in the country.

Take stern action

"Because of this, I hope the authorities will take stern action and the prime minister is willing to use the Internal Security Act (ISA) in this matter," he was quoted as saying by Bernama .

"To us, Hindraf is a group that simply makes wild and baseless accusations to incite racial hatred," he added.

Hishammuddin, who is also education minister, said the Hindraf issue was also discussed by the Cabinet at its weekly meeting yesterday.

On Nov 25, Hindraf had organised a rally which saw tens of thousands of Indian Malaysians spilling on to the streets in Kuala Lumpur.

Police used tear gas and chemical-laced water to disperse the protestors. Scores were also arrested.

The rally, which made international news, was held to show support for a class action suit filed by Hindraf against the British government.

The suit sought a declaration that the Reid Commission Report 1957 failed to incorporate the rights of the Indian community when Malaya was granted independence and this had allegedly resulted in discrimination and marginalisation to this day.