Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar will not compromise against those who sow racism and hatred in the southern state.

"The Malays have special privileges, but the Chinese and Indians too have earned the right to call Johor their home.

"Their ancestors maybe from China or India, but they call Johor Darul Ta'zim their home.

"I will not tolerate hate and racism here in our beloved home - Johor Darul Ta'zim," he said in a Facebook post yesterday.

Meanwhile, Penang mufti Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor said Islam prohibited its followers from being racist.

"In Malaysia's context, bigotry or fanaticism towards a particular ethnic group should no longer be the main struggle, but instead, it must be replaced with the spirit of nationalism," he was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian today.

"Developed nations understand that bigotry is no longer relevant today in a globalised world,” he added.

Commenting on the Sept 16 rally, Youth and Sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin ( photo ) said it is not an issue if it is held to celebrate the unity of Malaysians in conjunction with Malaysia Day.

"The objective of the rally changes on a daily basis. It is now 'himpunan perpaduan rakyat'. If the rally is meant for unity, what is wrong?" he was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian .

'Reinstate spirit of forefathers'

Meanwhile, Umno leader Tajuddin Abdul Rahman called on Malays to join the rally as an effort to reinstate the spirit of their forefathers when they struggled for independence.

The rally will be a manifestation of the solidarity of the Malays at a time when their country, religion and country has been humiliated, he said.

"All Malays and bumiputera, Umno member or not, should participate," said Tajuddin, who is also the agriculture and agro-based industry deputy minister.

Perlis Umno chief Shahidan Kassim (photo) expressed the state liaison committee's support to the rally.

"We want to portray the spirit of solidarity amongst the Malays as at the time of independence,” he was quoted as saying in the Utusan Malaysia .

He added Malays did not have racist attitudes and had granted citizenship to 1million non-Malays previously, and respected all races.

The minister in the prime minister's department said the Bersih 4 rally had racist connotations as they called the rakyat to hate the government, until the participants were willing to stomp on portraits of leaders.

"The Bersih organisers did not condemn such behaviour," he was quoted as saying by the daily.

Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali also defended the ‘himpunan rakyat bersatu’ rally, set for Wednesday night.

The show of unity of Malays and the bumiputera is not meant to threaten other ethnic groups, he said, as reported by Utusan Malaysia.

Perkasa will not stop its members from attending the rally, but they will not participate under its flag, he said.