Awang said Lim had challenged the fundamental tenets underpinning the formation of the nation.

“The position of Bahasa Melayu as the official national language is not something new. As the foundation of the social contract between the races, it should not be questioned.

“The new government should affirm this rather than make a change that deviated from the constitution.

“I regard (making a statement in Mandarin) an attempt to disrupt the elements of nationhood. This is very dangerous,” he said at a demonstration outside Masjid Putra here today.

Among those present at the protest, attended by about 20 people, were former Dewan Rakyat speaker Abu Zahar Ujang, former inspector-general of police Hanif Omar, former managing director of Malaysia Airlines Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman and Malay Consultative Council secretary-general Hasan Mad.

Lim was accused of undermining the national language after he issued a Mandarin translation of his ministerial statement.

He has since said he accepted the criticisms and would in future issue official statements in Malay with translations in other languages where necessary.

Hanif said Lim had taken an oath to defend the constitution and he should be opposed if he violated that pledge.

“If we don’t protest, he will not come to his senses and return to the correct path,” he added.

Aziz said a minister, while representing the government, should use only Malay in their official statements.

“It is all right to use other languages if he speaks in a coffee shop,” he said.

The protesters later marched to the finance ministry where they handed over a memorandum.