KUALA LUMPUR, April 14 — Malaysians should reject leaders like Umno’s Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor who have no qualms dividing the nation to earn extra votes in the elections, DAP’s Shakir Ameer Mohideen said today.

The DAP Youth wing’s assistant national publicity secretary added that responsible leaders work to build bridges while irresponsible ones build walls to divide the people.

"At this point of his life and career, I would expect a veteran politician like Ku Nan to bring us together, rather than trying to break us apart just so he can get some media attention or votes,” Shakir said in a statement.

"Let us, as Malaysians, live in harmony and respect one another. Let us know who we are, and not let toxic politicians such as Tengku Adnan fool us into thinking we are somehow enemies,” he added.

He was referring to the Umno secretary-general who had earlier today warned Muslim civil servants attending a groundbreaking ceremony in Putrajaya to "be careful” of Christian evangelists in the DAP as they were bent on destroying Islam if they came to power.

"As a Muslim myself, it is very embarrassing to witness a Muslim leader making such horrible and poorly-considered statements.

"For many years, the Christian community in Malaysia have been targeted by extremists over unproven,  fake allegations – and the latest statement by Ku Nan may just trigger another round of ‘attacks’ on the Christian community,” Shakir said, referring to Tengku Adnan by his moniker.

Another DAP leader Hannah Yeoh had earlier criticised Tengku Adnan for his remarks and requested for a public apology for her party and to the Christian community.