Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh, however, said they were prepared to meet housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming, who had mooted the idea, to school him on the Federal Constitution.

“There’s nothing to discuss, because we will remain steadfast in opposing the proposal.

“Unless, of course, Nga wants us to give him a lesson on history and the constitution, which recognises only the indigenous people as the original inhabitants,” he told FMT.

Earlier today, Nga invited the Umno leadership to discuss the proposal.

According to Sinar Harian, he said the purpose of the meeting was to prevent Umno from being deceived by remarks or sentiments played up by the opposition.

Akmal, who is also the Merlimau assemblyman, lauded the minister’s willingness to talk and hoped that a meeting would give Umno the chance to better explain why it opposes the proposal.

“He must understand the sensitivities and the history of our country first before making any decision,” he said.

Previously, Nga proposed designating the New Villages in Selangor as a Unesco world heritage site in recognition of their cultural and historical significance since their establishment 76 years ago.

Umno rejected the move, with party deputy president Mohamad Hasan saying there was no need for these villages to be designated as a world heritage site.

Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said while the idea aimed to empower the country’s tourism sector, it would indirectly impact the Malay-Bumiputera position.

He said the proposal was unconstitutional and violated the Bumiputeras’ status and rights.