A total of 165 MCA Youth divisions have demanded that Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Ismail Sabri apologise for his remark on Chinese traders.

However, their deadline is "as soon as possible" and when quizzed what measures would be taken if he did not heed the demand, the response was not to make assumptions.

Yesterday, Ismail Sabri explained himself to cabinet. Following this, the Prime Minister's Office stated that Ismail's controversial Facebook posting was aimed at all errant traders and not just the Chinese.

This is despite the minister's post urging Malays to boycott Chinese traders who refused to reduce the prices of goods.

Ismail has refused to apologise and accused his critics of being petty .

Meanwhile, the MCA Youth divisions also expressed support for their chief Chong Sin Woon, who, among others, said Ismail was not fit to be a cabinet member.

"The stance taken by Chong is MCA's stand, and we, the members of MCA Youth, stand firmly with him on this issue.

"We strongly urge Ismail to withdraw his remark and issue a public apology instead of continuing to defend his own illogical theory which only adds salt to the wound," stated their joint statement, which was read by MCA Youth secretary-general Leong Kim Soon.

Earlier, MCA former president Dr Chua Soi Lek had criticised his successor Liow Tiong Lai for not making a strong stand on this issue and delegating the task to Chong instead.

During the press conference today, Leong also sidestep questions on the prime minister's position on Ismail Sabri's statement and is only concerned about making the position of the movement known.

"Whatever it is, our stand (the MCA youth) is still firm, we want Ismail Sabri to apologise and retract his statement made," he said.

Leong said the Chinese community would accept constructive criticisms, but the allegations by Ismail Sabri were "ridiculous".