KOTA KINABALU, Feb. 4 -- Sabah police are concerned about the rising spectre of racism in the state following the scuffle between Umno Youth leader Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris, better known as blogger Papagomo, and a controversial Sabah Suluk leader.

State police commissioner Datuk Omar Mammah said that there has been a worrying trend of late where racial issues have been played up to cause hurt, provocation and racial hatred.

"These things have been happening, we cannot deny it. But we are trying to stop it from spreading so it doesn't cause any discord among the people here," he said.

He spoke to reporters after paying a courtesy call on the chief minister here today.

Omar said that those in Sabah should realise that it is a raciall...