A spirited rendition of a patriotic song, waving of the Jalur Gemilang and thrusting of the Federal Constitution high in the air.

No, this is not at a premature 50th Merdeka celebration, but a 'surprise performance' at the MCA Youth annual meet today.

Another surprise was the holding of the event in Malacca which is a notable departure from MCA's traditional enclave at their party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

Incidently, Malacca is where Malaysia's first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman announced in 1956 that his team, which included MCA leader HS Lee, had successfully negotiated for Malaya's Independence from the British.

This was reflected in the sentiments and speeches at the meeting - reasserting the spirit and rights under the constitution, as well as Chinese leaders' contribution towards the country's Independence.

The question is: Is this 'performance' a form of protest in view of the war of words between Umno and MCA leaders over a host of current issues such as the Islamic state debate and the parodying of the national anthem?

No 'master and slave'

In a strongly-worded speech at the opening ceremony this morning, MCA Youth chief Liow Tiong Lai ( above ) reiterated that the relationship between BN component parties was not one of 'master and slave'.

"We in MCA and MCA Youth won't be easily bullied by others, ren bu fan wo, wo bu fan ren; ren ruo fan wo, wo bi fan ren ," he quoted the Chinese saying which loosely translates to how one who is offended would retaliate.

"In the 'BN family', we are brothers, there is no master and slave, there is no question of who is being scared of who or whom should kowtow to whom," Liow added to a thunderous applause from the 887 delegates present.

He said the Chinese community, who have contributed towards the country's Merdeka, would definitely pah see bo chow (will hold their ground even in face of adversity).

In a clear reference to other component parties leaders, Liow - who is also deputy youth and sports minister - said MCA Youth will not tolerate any form of 'extreme racism' which is done at the expense of racial harmony.

"Why must others raise undesirable subjects and stir up the Chinese sentiment? Why must we throw stones at our own feet? Does it do any good to our racial and religious harmony?" he asked.

Liow suggested the authorities should do away with labels like 'Muslims and non-Muslims', 'bumiputeras and non-bumiputeras' among Malaysians to eradicate racism and advocate the spirit of 'rakyat Malaysia'.

Criticisms in Mandarin

The apex of Liow's speech was in the closing when he said that it was never MCA Youth's culture to brandish the keris (traditional Malay dagger).

"If we want to brandish something, why not let us wave the Federal Constitution?" he said as all of the Youth wing committee members on the stage rose in unison with copies of the constitution in their hands to loud applause from the floor.

Among the VIP guests who were present this morning include Umno Youth vice-chief Khairy Jamaluddin ( right ), Gerakan Youth chief Mah Siew Keong, MCA vice-presidents Dr Chua Soi Lek and Ong Tee Keat and several other party veterans.

The delivery of Liow's hard-hitting remarks however were only confined to Mandarin.

In his earlier speech in Bahasa Malaysia, he praised Umno Youth chief and Education Minister Hishammuddin Hussein for approving a RM14 million allocation for the Chinese schools under a MCA Youth initiated programme.

Asked on this later, Liow ( below ) claimed copies of his Bahasa Malaysia speech have been circulated to those present. He also argued his criticisms did not target any particular leader.

Khairy however told reporters later that he was in the dark about Liow's Mandarin version of the speech.

MCA deputy president Chan Kong Choy, who opened the annual meet, reminded leaders of the MCA and Umno Youth to always remember how the forefathers have worked together on a consensus for a racial harmony.

"I hope Liow and Hisham, Khairy will dialogue (like the forefathers did) and remember our nation's history," he said.

Same sentiment from delegates

Twelve resolutions ranging from education, economy and security issues were debated and adopted later.

The resolutions include calling on the government to let Chinese contractors have equal opportunity in undertaking government mega-projects and stop issuing directives mandating favourable treatment to bumiputera businessmen in the supply of goods to the government.

The sentiments of the MCA leaders aired via their speeches were also shared by the delegates.

Referring to the recent spate of controversies, Selangor delegate Tan In Fong said although MCA leaders were busy 'fire fighting', there were others who were busy 'razing'.

"Is Umno trying to get rid of the MCA brand name? I wonder how long MCA can continue to play this firefighter role?" he asked.

"Are they looking down on us (MCA) because they think we will never withdraw from the BN coalition?" he said.

On recent opinion polls suggesting a surge of Chinese votes towards the opposition in the next elections, another Selangor delegate expressed his concern that this may come true should Umno leaders do not refrain from making offensive remarks.

Federal Territories delegate Tan Kok Eng summed up the MCA's dilemma today in a simple way: "What we are facing is not only challenge from the opposition but Umno."