MCA Youth has urged the Home Affairs Ministry not to issue a permit for the gathering in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday by the Malay Action Front (BBM).

"The ministry should not issue any permit for them. We are concerned that the gathering could turn out to be one against other races," MCA Youth chief Ong Tee Keat told malaysiakini today.

Ong said that the Home Affairs Ministry should not allow such a gathering at this juncture as it would have a negative impact on the country.

The gathering, called " Tak Akan Melayu Hilang Di Dunia " (The Malays will not perish from this earth), at the Sultan Sulaiman Club at Kampung Baru on Sunday beginning at 2pm is expected to attract some 10,000 people.

Ong also said MCA Youth planned to send a letter to the Home Affairs Ministry to declare their opposition to the planned gathering by BBM.

"We have to ask whether there is a need for such a gathering. Won't the other races feel threatened? The rally should not be allowed at all," Ong said.

Ong reiterated that MCA Youth did not oppose the unity of any race, but there were many ways to achieve unity.

"Any action which will damage the relationship among the races will only undermine the competitive edge of the country (to foreign investors)," Ong said.

He added that MCA Youth hoped that BBM would stick to their commitment that the gathering was not meant to oppose the Chinese lobby group, Suqiu.

Use of kris rapped

Rally coordinator Ibrahim Ali, former MP for Pasir Mas, told a press conference yesterday that the gathering was not a reaction to Suqiu, which included a call for the abolishment of the distinction between Bumiputra and non-Bumiputra in its 17-point appeal released before the 1999 general elections.

Meanwhile, Malacca DAP state assemblyman for Durian Daun, Betty Chew Gek Cheng, said the police had a public duty to ban and stop all rallies that could be violent in nature.

She said no unity gatherings had been held in Malaysia where a weapon was used as a symbol in publicity posters.

"If the rally is to be peaceful, why use a hand-held kris as a symbol? There is a danger that such a gathering will inflame racial and extremist elements and lead to violence," Chew said.

Chew urged that stern action be taken against the organisers of the rally for their irresponsible actions that threatened the public order and economic stability of the country.