Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia has taken aim at Malaysiakini for publishing what it described as ""wild, racist and irresponsible" comments by the news portal's readers.

The newspaper, in an editorial under the pseudonym Awang Selamat today, quoted MyKMU.net writer Ab Jalil Backer as saying that Malaysiakini was a platform for those "unskilled in using their mental faculties" (tidak mahir berfikir) to post negative comments.

"Awang understands why Jalil would say so. For too long there has been evidence of manipulation and threats, as the portal espouses the agenda of an opposition party and foreign parties."

The writer also accused Malaysiakini of aiding certain parties, and supporting illegal rallies, to overthrow a democratically elected government.

The newspaper called on the government to control Malaysiakini.

"Awang believes that it (Malaysiakini) will not stop and will continue to hide behind (the shield) of freedom of the press.

"If there is a portal that needs to be controlled in the name of nation building, security and curbing seditious elements as well as sleazy comments, it will be none other than Malaysiakini.

"Even though the portal gives all kinds of excuses that it is supposedly not responsible for the comments of its readers, it is all a ruse.

"For how long do they want to wash their hands?" it said.