'The actions of certain quarters in disputing and questioning these matters, which formed the primary basis for the formation of Malaysia and are enshrined in the federal Constitution, had caused provocation and uneasiness among the people,' the rulers said in their statement, issued at the end of a two-day conference here.

They added: 'In retaliation, several quarters, particularly Malay leaders whether in the government or non-governmental organisations as well as individuals, had expressed their dissatisfaction and anger against those who had made the statements and reports and organised the forums.'

The nine rulers blamed the divisions on 'the cursory knowledge of those concerned regarding the historical background' of the provisions in the federal Constitution, as well as 'narrow political interests'.

They also warned that unless this 'phenomenon was arrested'' immediately, it could lead to disunity and racial strife in the country, according to the text of the statement carried by Bernama news agency yesterday.

Malay special rights have become a hot button issue since the March general election which saw the opposition scoring a stunning win. It wrested control of five states and denied the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition its traditional two- thirds majority in the federal Parliament.

Since then, questions have been raised about the so-called New Economic Policy (NEP), which accords special privileges to the Malays, and complaints have been aired publicly about perceived discrimination and marginalisation of the other communities in the country.

Temperatures reached fever pitch recently after an Umno politician described the Chinese as squatters during a heated by-election campaign in Penang which led to the return of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim to Parliament.

Datuk Seri Anwar has been among those critical of the NEP, charging that it has benefited only a select few Malays aligned to Umno, the main component of the BN.

The opposition leader has, instead, touted his own brand of multiracial politics - where Malay rights will be preserved and protected but not at the expense of the other races, and especially of the poor.

The rulers yesterday said that it was not proper to dispute and question the social contract in the country because it was the primary basis for the formation of Malaysia.

'Therefore, it is appropriate for the Malay rulers to remind that there should never be any attempt ever to test and challenge issues related to the social contract,' they said.

They noted that under the Constitution, the institution of the rulers was at the apex, ensuring impartiality among the citizens and as a check-and-balance to untangle 'complications'.

The rulers also called on the Malays to remain united, saying that this was more important than political or factional interests.

They said: 'The Conference of Rulers also calls on the Malays to be united to safeguard the privileges, position, eminence and greatness of the Malay rulers, safeguard Islam, Malay as the national language, and the genuine interests of the other communities in Malaysia as enshrined in the federal Constitution.

'It has to be emphasised that this agenda is more important and foremost than political or factional interests.'

But the rulers sought to reassure the other communities, saying that non-Malays should not harbour 'any apprehension or worry over their genuine rights' because these were guaranteed under the federal Constitution as well as in state charters.

Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi as well as state chiefs, except that of Sarawak, which was represented by a lower-level official, were present at the rulers' conference yesterday.