Ethnic Chinese politicians yesterday denounced a Malaysian ruling party official who reportedly described the minority Chinese as "immigrants" who should not receive equal treatment with the Malay Muslim majority.

The uproar has rekindled debate about the rights of ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities, who have grown increasingly vocal about alleged government discrimination in economic, social and religious policies.

Ahmad Ismail, a Malay northern district chief in the United Malays National Organization party, incensed minorities after local media quoted him as telling a largely Malay audience in a speech on Aug 25 that "as the Chinese were only immigrants, it was impossible to achieve equal rights among races".