MCA has taken a swipe at former Chief Justice of Malaysia Abdul Hamid Mohamad over his remark that the Chinese community is waiting to grab power.

"We view this as an irresponsible attempt to instigate hatred among Malaysians, especially between Malays and non-Malays," said the party’s publicity bureau chief Chai Kim Sen.

He was responding to Hamid, who in his opening address at the Perkasa annual general assembly yesterday, said when Malays are busy fighting each other, the Chinese, having control over the economy, education and other fields, see an opportunity to grab political power.

Chai said MCA is "gravely disheartened and puzzled" as to how a learned former chief justice could be so "ignorant" on the importance of preserving harmony among the races.

He asked how could Hamid churn out such a "foolish" statement to portray himself as a hero to his own race.

"We would like to remind Hamid that we are all Malaysians and the rights of each and every ethnicity are well protected as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

"Therefore, there is no need for the Chinese to grab power from other races.

"Instead, everybody is working hard regardless of skin colour, religion or cultural background towards a better Malaysia," he added.

Chai also reminded Hamid that nobody should take the harmonious relationship between the races in Malaysia for granted.

He said the Chinese community's contributions and sacrifices towards the nation cannot and should not be denied by any quarters, including Hamid.

"So Hamid, while you are trying to unite the Malays, please do not make scapegoats out of the Chinese and create even more racial discord," he added.