MCA has expressed regret that the Jalan Alor's facelift plan to draw more tourists into Malaysia has been turned into a racial issue by Utusan Malaysia .

NONE "As a multiracial country which has been independent for over 55 years now, I am truly disappointed to see that race is still the main consideration instead of national interest," said MCA's publicity bureau chairperson Heng Seai Kie ( right ).

Heng, in a statement, said she was "deeply upset with Utusan 's racist remarks”, which also "belittled" the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

"By promoting our local food, we can also help to boost our tourism and hospitality industry which will in turn help to increase our nation’s revenue, thus expanding the economic pie to benefit everyone of all races.

“So for Utusan to say that only the Chinese will benefit is wrong," Heng said.

Through an editorial on its Sunday edition Mingguan Malaysia, the Umno-back daily questioned DBKL's RM12 million plans to turn Jalan Alor and Tengkat Tong Shin in Kuala Lumpur into a Chinese food hub of international standards.

It wrote that the project, announced by KL mayor Ahmad Phesal Talib last month, would only benefit only a single race and questioned why Chinese food were being promoted before Malay food.

The 'Jalan Alor Night Food Paradise' project, which will begin in October, would take about 11 months to complete.

Jalan Alor's restaurants and hawkers are already a tourist draw in KL but the government believed that a revamp would raise standards of cleanliness within the often crowded area and boost tourist numbers.

MCA’s Heng urged the Umno-owned daily to be more responsible and cautious in their writing so as not to "mislead the public."

Meanwhile, Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor was also reported today saying that plans for Jalan Alor would “go ahead” despite the Utusan protest.