KLANG: Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman must apologise for saying that he would slap Malaysian Chinese who sought protection from China, said MCA Youth chief Chong Sin Woon.

“If a mistake has been made, seeking an apology is the right thing to do,” he said.

Speaking to reporters after attending an event at SJKC Kong Hoe yesterday, Chong said the matter must not be dragged on to become a racial issue.

Tajuddin has since denied making the remark and Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor had urged MCA to stop criticising the deputy minister over the matter and to settle it within the Barisan Nasional framework.

Tengku Adnan had also said Umno would not compel Tajuddin to apologise to the Chinese community.

The controversy came about last week when Tajuddin was reported to have said he would lempang Chinese here who sought protection from China.

– The Star