Several political parties and non-governmental organisations today lodged a police report against the gathering planned by a Malay action group in Kuala Lumpur this Sunday.

The report, a copy of which was made available to malaysiakini , stated that the gathering organised by the Malay Action Front (BBM) has a racial connotation which could affect the national integration among the various races in the country.

The gathering, called "Tak Akan Melayu Hilang Di Dunia" (The Malays will not perish from the earth), will take place at the Sultan Sulaiman Club at Kampung Baru at 2pm on Sunday

BBM coordinator Ibrahim Ali earlier today told a press conference that the gathering was to achieve Malay unity and to protect the sovereignty of the Malay race. He added that the gathering was not political ([#1] Rally to unite Malays, says organiser[/#] , Feb 1).

Poster can create fear

The police report was lodged at the Ampang Jaya police station this afternoon and it was signed by Ampang Jaya Keadilan head Ahmad Hassan and his deputy Rosli Ibrahim, PRM legal adviser Sivarasa Rasiah, Md Abd Nasir Mat Isa from human rights organisation Suaram, Mahadzir Hassan from Jemaaah Islam Malaysia and 70 social activists.

The report also stated that the Kris held in a hand against a red background used in the publicity posters for the gathering showed an extremist stance of the organisers.

"This attitude can create a tense situation and panic among the other races," it said.

The report added that the gathering will also lead to a situation similar to the racial riots suffered on May 13, 1969.

It said that the gathering was being held in Kampung Baru, the same place where the 1969 riots occurred.

The signatories in the report felt that the gathering will not unite the Malay race but instead will divide them further.

"The gathering is politically motivated, seeking to gain political mileage for certain quarters."

The report stated that the problems in the country were not a result of Malay disunity but due to corruption, abuse of power and mismanagement by certain leaders.

Symbol of war

The use of the kris in the publicity posters also drew flak from the [#2] Free Anwar Campaign [/#] website which said that a drawn or unsheathed kris was symbolic of war or attack.

"In the late 1980s, the Umno Youth leader then warned the Chinese that Umno's kris 'will be soaked in Chinese blood'," said the website.

The kris , according to Malay folklore, is associated with magical powers and it is also used as Umno's party logo.