Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin today spoke out against tomorrow’s rally, saying that it has invited negative perceptions.

In a statement, he said there were better ways to “defend Malay dignity”.

“The Sept 16 rally has invited negative perception from society, from the objective of the rally to its organisation.

“If one really wanted to defend Malay dignity, my advice is to use proper channels like through Umno which is spearheading the government, and not through raising racial sentiments,” he said.

Muhyiddin's Malaysia Day address was delivered barely 24 hours before the red shirt rally, organised by National Silat Federation (Pesaka).

The Sept 16 rally was first mooted to counter Bersih 4 and touted as a gathering to uphold Malay pride but Pesaka later re-branded the rally as ‘Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu’ and invited government supporters of all races to attend.

The former deputy prime minister said Malaysia Day should be celebrated through the activities that manifest love and unity among the rakyat.

"Do not celebrate it with the rally which can be defined as racism, regardless of its motive," he said.

"I personally want to advise the relevant parties to act wisely in organising any rally on Malaysia Day. This is especially significant as Sept 16 should not be tarnished by actions which may lead to dispute and racial conflict," he noted.