(Sept 18): A Penang Gerakan grassroots leader has spoken out against racial slurs during Wednesday's red shirt rally, even as Prime Minister Datuk Najib Razak sought to justify the government's green light for the gathering.

Bayan Baru Gerakan Youth vice-chief Chan Kim Beng said events that could go out of control and cause disharmony must not be condoned by anyone.

"I am not sure of the PM's view but as Malaysians we must not condone any event like that. It is not how we, as Malaysians, work together.

"We can always discuss, using our intellect. There is no need to get into fights," he said after lodging a police report on the Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu rally at the Bayan Baru police station today.

Chan's report was on the racial slurs targeting the Chinese community by rally-goers.

He said he had seen pictures shared via messaging app Whatsapp of participants with banners that read "Hapuskan SJKC" (abolish Chinese schools), and "Cina babi pendatang elok mati" (Chinese are pigs, immigrants should just die).

"This is very unhealthy. It is not our culture as Malaysians. Such remarks are against the Federal Constitution.

"We have the right to learn and speak our mother tongue. Chinese schools are provided under the Education Act and the Education Blueprint 2013-2015.

"These are seditious statements. I hope the police will investigate and bring the culprits to justice according to the law," he said.

Chan added that the incident should serve as a reminder that Malaysians must cherish peace and progress together as one.

Najib today defended the "red shirt" rally, which has been painted as an anti-Chinese demonstration by the international media.

He said the rally did not seek to topple the government, unlike the Bersih 4 rally last month.

The prime minister had previously said that Umno did not endorse the rally organised by Persekutuan Silat Kebangsaan Malaysia (Pesaka) headed by Umno leader Tan Sri Mohd Ali Rustam, but would not bar party members from taking part.

Organisers said the rally was to defend Malay dignity, as well as to counter last month's Bersih 4 rally that demanded reforms and Najib's resignation over the scandals affecting his administration.

During the rally, Malay leaders delivered speeches accusing DAP as the "mastermind" behind Bersih and any discord in Malaysia.

Umno Supreme Council member Tan Sri Annuar Musa, who was the last speaker at the event, even said he was a racist and that racism was sanctioned by Islam. – The Malaysian Insider