MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai has been urged to make a statement on the stand made by Pasir Gudang MCA Youth chief, Chia Chow Hui to sever ties with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

UMNO Youth information chief, Jamawi Jaafar said Chia’s statement was “childish” and he was merely taking advantage of the ‘racist’ element tied to the Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu last Sept 16.

“If Liow is not supportive (of Chia’s statement), then stern disciplinary action should be taken against the Youth chief. If he (Liow) supports it, then it is clear that MCA is not a partner to be trusted in BN (Barisan Nasional),” Jamawi said in a statement today.

Yesterday, Chia announced that Pasir Gudang MCA Youth had severed ties with Najib, who is UMNO president and BN chairman, following the latter’s known support for the Sept 16 ‘red shirts’ rally.

Chia had said the rally was seen as a medium to crush racial harmony.

Meanwhile, Jamawi said Chia’s action did not reflect at all the camaraderie in BN in which during the Bersih rally, MCA Youth members were given the freedom to attend.

“This ‘double standard’ attitude clearly reflects the direction of the MCA Youth’s struggle. If he (Chia) is unable to help the party, then he should keep his mouth shut and not show his ungratefulness to those who have helped him.

“He should instead help to strengthen MCA Youth and beef up the voter registry especially among the younger Chinese which we know is lacking in BN,” Jamawi added.

Najib last Friday had stated his appreciation to participants of the ‘red shirts’ rally, saying the gathering was done peacefully without any provocation.

Before this, Malay rights leader Datuk Jamal Md Yunos, who led Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu, had refuted claims that the premier had sponsored RM3 million for the rally.

Jamal, who is also Sungai Besar UMNO division head, had said rally organisers had never received any allocation from the Prime Minister or the government.