The Selangor BN convention was marked with controversy after 15 representatives from the Kapar MCA division walked out of the event shortly after the opening ceremony.

Kapar MCA division chief Song Kee Chai told Malaysiakini that division representatives were outraged that the coalition’s maiden state convention was preceded by the singing of the Umno anthem, soon after the BN anthem.

“This convention is organised in the name of BN, not Umno. So singing the Umno song does not reflect BN and the 1Malaysia spirit,” he said when contacted this afternoon.

NONE Additionally, Song said division representatives were also upset that only Umno leaders were invited to sit on the stage, while leaders from other component parties were seated with the crowd.

Song said this was disrespectful to all the other component parties.

He said his members were also upset with the keynote address by Noh Omar, who alluded that non-Malays should be grateful that they were granted Malaysian citizenship.

Among others, Noh Omar had quoted speeches of fourth MCA president Tan Siew Sin and fifth MIC president VT Sambanthan from the 1960s, who praised Umno and the Malays for granting citizenship to the non-Malays.

'No respect for us'

Song said his division regarded the speech as an insult to the Chinese and Indians.

Despite boycotting most of the activities at the convention, Song said some of his members returned in the afternoon when Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is scheduled to officiate the ‘Selangor Takeover Plan (Stop)’ campaign.

NONE Meanwhile, MIC secretary-general S Murugesan also expressed unhappiness that no arrangements were made for non-Umno leaders to be on stage.

"It looks like they were not respecting us," he said.

However, he said that he has complained about the Umno-centric convention to the organising chairperson Mohd Zin Mohamed, who incidently spoke of inclusion and cooperation in his opening address, have rectified the problem.

"It looks like they have put up chairs on the stage, and he also promised that they will not be singing the Umno song for the afternoon session when the PM comes in.

"I have no problems with that now," he said.

Organiser sees no problems

When approached, organising chairperson Mohd Zin Mohamed said that he was not aware of the walkout, adding that Song had not spoken to him about it.

"What is the issue? I don't see any issue," he said, when told of Song's complaints.

He also defended the playing of the Umno song in the morning session, saying that it was "only natural", because the organising committee was headed by Umno.

Pleading for the media not to blow up the issue, stressing that only the BN song was played for the afternoon session.

"But if really make any mistake, I am willing to apologise," he said.