MCA president Liow Tiong Lai today branded PKR's move to call for a by-election in Kajang  a "mistake", claiming that the opposition party was being insensitive to the rising costs of living.

"It is already hurting the people, and people are already facing rising costs of living and economic problems.

"They (PKR) should be working towards increasing the economy and not purposely haing a by-election for their own agenda," Liow said on the sidelines of the MCA Chinese New Year open house in Kajang.

He said PKR should not be using a by-election to solve its internal party problems.

Liow called on the people to "wake up" to ensure that moves such as the "Kajang move" are not repeated.

"We can't allow this to happen and the people need to wake up to send a message that this can't be repeated," he said.

"Anwar has done this before in Permatang Pauh (in 2009) and now he is using the Kajang state seat," he said.

He said that MCA would shortlist its list of candidates soon and send it to the BN to decide on the party candidate for the by-election.

"This election is equally important for MCA and BN," said Liow, who will be handling his first by-election as MCA president, should the party be allowed to contest the Kajang state seat.