Like it or not, the Chinese and Indians of the country were pendatang to then Federation of Malaya, said Perkasa.

The Malay rights group's information chief, Hassan Basri Muhammad, was reponding to MIC president Dr S Subramaniam who, in his speech at the party’s annual general assembly on Nov 6, had asked that the government ban the use of the word pendatang .

“(In asking this), it shows how shallow he (Subramaniam) is and that he is only trying to change the history of the pendatang ," Hassan said in a statement today.

Hassan reminded that history would always remain as history.

"This is why we are taught to learn from history,” he said.

Subramaniam had called on the government to outlaw the use of the word pendatang as it is something very hurtful to the Indians and Chinese.

Hassan believes that the issue cropped up because there are those from the Chinese and Indian community who were supposedly trying to champion their race and religion.

“That’s why they question the things which have been stated in the country’s (federal) constitution. Their rudeness is clearly hurting the feelings of the Malays."

Hassan said this contrasted with how the Malays had never questioned their rights.

Malay feelings hurt

For example, Hassan said the Malays never questioned the Indians when they celebrate Thaipusam, where roads leading to Batu Caves have to be closed.

Likewise, the Chinese were never questioned when they celebrate Chap Goh Mei, where they would burn joss sticks which would cause air pollution.

“If we were to state such things further, there are just so many that hurt the feelings of the Malays. But the Malays are known to be very patient," he said.

Hassan also said the pendatang issue would not have surfaced if all races and followers of religions protect their own rights and do not question the rights of others.

“There is nothing wrong with the term pendatang .

"We suggest that this matter be stressed in vernacular schools so that these children will not grow up with hatred like that individual named Alvin Tan who continues to insult Islam and the Malays," he said.