THOUSANDS OF demonstrators took to the streets of Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday in a rally seen as promoting Malay supremacy in the multi-racial nation.

Senior political figures and opposition parties voiced concern the rally could inflame racial tensions at a time when Prime Minister Najib Razak is under intense pressure to resign over an alleged corruption scandal.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi warned protesters not to display banners or posters that touched on racial sensitivities and to avoid racial slurs.

After initially saying the rally was for ''Malay dignity,'' organisers changed the theme to a rally for ''Citizens' Unity'' following fierce criticism, including from within the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the party which has ruled the country for six decades.

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