Lim, a former finance minister, described the PAS MP’s allegation as “extreme” and “reckless”.

“I never mentioned May 13. I only proposed an anti-racial discrimination law to curb hate speech against races.

“I urge him (Marzuk) to apologise, retract his statement, or be referred to the rights and privileges committee,” he said while interjecting in the works ministry’s winding-up speech during the debate of the royal address in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul then advised Lim to file a motion over Marzuk’s remark.

“To be fair to both sides, you may submit a motion and allow me time to review and refer to the Hansard (official record),” he said.

On Tuesday, Marzuk said the proposed legislation could heighten racial tensions and possibly lead to a repeat of the racial riots of May 13, 1969.

He told the Dewan Rakyat that such legislation could serve as a backdoor for the abolition of Bumiputera rights and privileges.

Marzuk also asked if the proposal by the DAP chairman went against Malaysia’s “social contract” and the foundation of the Federal Constitution.

Lim had proposed the enactment of an anti-racial discrimination act in light of racial issues involving political figures and extremists, citing a recent incident involving a hawker selling corn in Sepang.

National unity minister Aaron Ago Dagang however shot down Lim’s proposal, saying an anti-racial discrimination law was unnecessary as there were existing laws which were adequate to tackle racial and religious offences.