Barisan Alternatif Youth will lodge a police report against Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad for his remarks linking Keadilan Youth chief Mohd Ezam Mohd Noor to the racial clashes in Petaling Selatan.

The party's Youth secretary-general Lokman Adam told malaysiakini that the allegation made by Mahathir is very serious and is intended to smear his boss.

"To arouse fears among the non-Malay communities is sedition," said Lokman.

According to the Sin Chew Jit Poh daily, Mahathir said yesterday that there is a political agenda behind the clashes in Petaling Selatan which has claimed six lives, with over 40 injured and more than 220 arrested.

The prime minister said the incident is linked to Ezam's alleged vow to launch street demonstrations to topple the government.

The Keadilan Youth chief was reported by Mingguan Malaysia paper to have "admitted to planning to launch wide-scale demonstrations to topple the government chosen by the people".

However, Ezam said that while he supported demonstrations as a legitimate right in a democracy, he, however, denied that he aimed to overthrow the government through such means.

Last Wednesday, the Kuala Lumpur Magistrate Court charged Ezam under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act. He is due to face trial in Aug 6.

Create riots

Mahathir said the demonstrations advocated by Ezam could either be common street demonstrations or those which could lead to fights or even trigger racial clashes.

"The information received by us showed Ezam has contacted his friends overseas, saying that he will create riots in the country until the current government is toppled. However, some of the people advised him not to do so because they do not want to see turmoil in Malaysia," he said.

Mahathir's comments on Ezam were carried only by Chinese-language newspapers today.

Lokman said that the prime minister's comments have created the perception among Malaysians that the tragedy in Petaling Selatan was planned by the opposition. Ezam was formerly an Umno leader in the area.

The Star daily yesterday quoted MIC president S Samy Vellu as saying that the clashes could have been planned by certain quarters out to create chaos in the country.

"By creating the perception that the racial clashes were planned, it would enable the government to arrest the opposition leaders," said Lokman.

He suggested that the government produce a White Paper in Parliament to explain what happened in the clashes.

Legal action

When contacted by malaysiakini, Ezam said he is considering legal action against Mahathir.

"Mahathir should act as a prime minister and not exploit the tragedy for the interest of his own party by blaming the opposition," he said.

Ezam also suggested an independent commission be established to oversee the situation as the politicians are not even-handed in handling the issue.

"They are losing public support and now they are trying to manipulate the issue for their own benefit," said Ezam.