There are politicians within the Barisan Nasional who incite racial sentiments to gain political mileage, said Gerakan adviser and former president Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik.

“There are some BN members who raise sensitive religious and racial issues. This approach is especially apparent over the last two years.

“Don’t listen to them as they only want to climb up the political ladder. If we listen to them, we will also be kelam kabut (confused),” he said at the Gerakan Deepavali open house in Menara PGRM last night.

Present were acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, vice-president Datuk Dr S. Vijayaratnam and secretary-general Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye.

Dr Lim, who is Energy, Water and Communications Minister, said such extreme sentiments were not shared by the BN leadership, who were moderate and guarded in their statements to maintain harmony.

He said all races must play their part to understand the sensitivity of each race and not be confrontational.

He saluted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for leading the charge to be moderate at last week’s Umno general assembly.

His advice to all Malaysians: “We have the winning formula for the past 50 years, so don’t gamble with another formula.”