Umno leaders today denied there was a written directive purportedly signed by party secretary-general Radzi Sheikh Ahmad asking them to carry out a ‘racial issue action plan.’

Yesterday, PAS Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub filed a police report in Kuala Lumpur over the letter.

The letter, a copy of which was made available to Malaysiakini , was allegedly issued on Dec 20 amid rumours that a large-scale Malay rally is being planned to counter the one organised by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).

The letter was addressed to all Umno state liaison committee secretaries. It also carried the official Umno letterhead.

“I take this opportunity to announce the supreme council’s decision which met on Dec 19 that state liaison committee secretaries and division chiefs have to ensure the implementation and the success of the ‘racial issue action plan’ together with the help of BN (Barisan Nasional) component parties.

“The (BN) state liaison chiefs will give a briefing on how to carry out this ‘racial issue action plan’ which has been agreed upon by BN component parties that met on Dec 6,” stated the letter, which did not specify details of the purported plan.

It also called on Umno leaders to cooperate in implementing the plan to restore the people’s faith in BN.

No meeting, no letter

Despite numerous attempts, Radzi could not be reached for comment but other Umno leaders contacted by Malaysiakini denied the letter.

On the same note, a BN source told Malaysiakini that there was no meeting held on Dec 6 while a check revealed that the last Umno supreme council meeting was held on Dec 14.

Umno supreme council member Norza Zakaria said he was not aware of any such letter or discussions to implement the alleged plan.

“Furthermore, Hindraf leaders were detained under the ISA (Internal Security Act) then,” he noted, referring to the five Hindraf leaders arrested on Dec 13, a day before the last supreme council meeting.

“We (the supreme council) complimented the government for the action taken because it was the majority who wanted the (ISA) action to be taken,” he added when asked to elaborate on what was discussed during the meeting.

Dungun Umno division chief Rosli Mat Hassan said it was impossible for the party secretary-general to pen a letter which could lead to disorder in the country.

“I suspect the letter was written by PAS because they know the general elections is around the corner. Don’t fall for their trickery because they will do anything just to win the elections,” he claimed.

Seremban Umno division chief Ishak Ismail said his divisions and other divisions in Negeri Sembilan did not receive the letter.

National security issue

In his police report, Salahuddin claimed that he received a copy of the letter on Tuesday around 4pm at his office at the PAS headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. However, he did not reveal the source.

He urged the police to determine the authenticity of the letter as its content could threaten national security.

Last December, there were widespread rumours that a mass rally is being planned by Islamic welfare organisation Pekida in the Malay-majority Kampung Baru area in Kuala Lumpur.

Kampung Baru was also one of the main places hit during the May 13 racial riots in 1969.

The rumour about the purported rally spread via the short messaging service (SMS), prompting Pekida to issue a denial.