Entrepreneur Development Minister Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof (photo, above) has upped the ante amid rising tension among ethnic communities over a number of sensitive issues, claiming that Malays have compromised too much with "racists" and urged them to rise up.

"Malays have compromised too much with racial demands that are too racist.

"It is time for Malays to rise up and defend Malay culture before it is destroyed," he was quoted as saying by Utusan Malaysia.

Mohd Redzuan was referring to the objections to the implementation of khat lessons in the Standard Four Bahasa Malaysia textbook.

The Education Ministry had since reduced the planned six pages of lessons to three and made learning optional, but unhappiness in the non-Malay community has persisted.

Chinese educationist group has branded the move as a form of "Islamisation", prompting Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to label the group as "racist".

However, the DAP had said that attacking Dong Zong was not helping as the same sentiment is being reflected on the ground.

Redzuan, in his report, complained that the government had been soft in its approach.

"We have been too tolerant (beri muka). Other countries are not as kind as us. The learning system is made compulsory based on the official language of that country.

"But not for us... we've been soft. Let us strengthen Malay culture in accordance with the constitution," added the Alor Gajah MP, who is also the Malacca Bersatu chief.