KUALA LUMPUR: Umno has suspended its Bukit Bendera division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail of his membership rights and stripped him of his posts for three years for making remarks which were deemed offensive by the Chinese community.

The decision was made at a specially convened supreme council meeting yesterday.

Other developments yesterday were:

> Barisan Nasional component parties immediately welcomed the decision, saying that Umno had recognised the coalition's feelings;

> Ahmad urged calm among the Malays and Umno members but refused to retract the controversial remarks which were made while campaigning for the Permatang Pauh by-election;

> The Cabinet which met yesterday saw that race relations in the country was showing "not so good signs" and the Government would keep a close watch on the situation;

> The police will not hesitate to take stern action against anyone inciting racial tension, said Deputy Inspector-General Tan Sri Ismail Omar.