Umno politicising 'Allah' is not in sync with the concept of 1Malaysia and its actions will only drive foreign investors away, said newly-appointed senator S Ramakrishnan.

"This development is most unfortunate at a time when Malaysia is falling out of favour as a destination for foreign direct investments," said Ramakrishnan.

NONE"The actions of these demagogues have made all efforts and funds spent to promote 1Malaysia go to waste."

Ramakrishnan (right) said that PAS and PKR had eroded the Umno Malay vote base and this should be a lesson as Malaysians are learning to accept that multiracialism is the way forward.

"Umno, which is a race-based party, is threatened to its core by this change in the Malay mind-set and is trying to politicise the 'Allah' issue for Malays."

Ramakrishnan asked: "Does the Malay community accept and value Umno's action, and does its actions really transform into votes?"

Even the non-Malays are coming to realise that PAS and PKR are better and more responsible replacements to Umno as champions of the Malay cause, he added.

Umno trying to remain relevant

Umno leaders, he said, amidst all these changes saw the 'Allah' issue as an opportunity to redeem itself.

"Umno's racist stand continues to intimidate the judiciary into submission to its cause. It's the same old game played by many Umno leaders to emerge champions when the party lost its grip on power in 1969, 1987 and 2001.

"What Umno hawks failed to see is that their trampling over the high court decision has far-reaching effects on the Malaysian constitution and judicial institutions," he added.

Ramakrishnan added that these politicians' actions have made moderate Malaysia fall in the same league as Pakistan, Somalia and other Taliban-influenced countries.

"I sympathise with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak who seems to have lost control over his members and colleagues.

"In short, their action and actions of bombing religious places has brought shame to Malaysia internationally."