KOTA BARU(Malaysia): Former minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Zaid Ibrahim said yesterday he will not apologise for his remarks on Malay supremacy.

He said the concept did have negative elements and racist traits.

"Many Malays want their achievements to be respected and recognised based on their abilities.

"Malays have extraordinary abilities and they do not have to be arrogant that they have more rights than the other races.

"It does not mean that I am questioning the Federal Constitution. The problem is that the so-called Malay champions could not differentiate between rights and privileges .

"Maybe because of the (Umno) party's election season, many, especially those contesting the vice-president's posts, want to gain support by giving their own interpretations of my statement."

In his statement yesterday, Zaid said as a Malay kampung boy from a poor family, he wanted to see Malays advance in economy and education.