Student and controversial rap song composer Wee Meng Chee, 24, was a hot topic during the annual MCA Youth meet today.

More than half of the 19 delegates who took to the rostrum today touched on the ongoing controversy involving a song which Wee composed, but views on matter were clearly divided.

Wee's 'Negarakuku' - a Mandarin rap song juxtaposed with the national anthem - is on heavy rotation on video sharing website YouTube, but also under heavy criticism from Umno politicians.

The crime, according to Wee's detractors, was the perversion of the national anthem and the alleged religious and racial undertones peppered throughout the song.

However, there was a consensus among the delegates who called on the government to stop pursuing the matter since he had apologised.

Victim of racialism

During the debates, Perak delegate Ding Siew Chee questioned aloud as to why the authorities adopt double standards by not prosecuting Umno leaders who make racially inflammatory remarks.

Ding also presented a theory as to why Umno leaders, particularly de facto law minister Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz, kept harping on the matter.

"That's because Wee is Chinese," said Ding bluntly.

"In Umno, so many of their leaders have made worse comments... Umno should be censuring these people," he added.

Johor delegate Gan Hong Szu argued there is no need to use "the whole country's machinery" against a vulnerable student since Wee has had already done the honourable thing to apologise.

"Wee's apology showed he is a responsible citizen if you were to compare him with those corrupted, yet unapologetic, government officials," said Gan to the applause from the floor.

Meanwhile, Negeri Sembilan delegate Siow Koi Voon said the whole issue had become a platform for the opposition parties to take potshots at the MCA.

"What have they done apart from criticising (MCA)? Did they tell this young talented man to respect our national anthem or other religions?

"We should just mock the opposition parties' song as well to let us MCA Youth members rap on the opposition's incapability," he said to laughter from the delegates.

Khairy: Let the law decide

Winding up the debates, MCA Youth secretary-general Dr Wee Ka Siong said since the student, who is studying mass communication in Taiwan, has showed sincerity and apologised, he should be forgiven.

"On the legal perspective, we should let the Attorney-General's Chambers handle the matter," said Wee, who is also Ayer Hitam MP.

At a press conference earlier, MCA Youth chief Liow Tiong Lai ( left ) urged all quarters to reject criticisms that the party had handled the matter badly.

Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin, when met at the meeting's sidelines, said although the government has accepted Wee's apology, but the law should be allowed to take its course.

Khairy was however quick to add that he did not mean the student should be charged.