The "slap the Chinese" fiasco continues to simmer within BN with MCA deputy minister Chong Sin Woon telling his counterpart Tajuddin Abdul Rahman to swallow his pride and apologise like his colleagues have.

"If he denies having said the remark, please go to see for yourself on YouTube .

"This is not a big issue... If you say you are a veteran (politician), follow Tourism Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz's footstep and say sorry, or I have said wrongly," said Chong.

The deputy education minister of two months said he may be junior to Tajuddin, the agriculture and agro-based industries deputy minister, but "the evidence is there" on the latter's remark against the Chinese community.

He was speaking to the media after officially opening a parent and teacher association meeting at SMK Desa Mahkota, Kuala Lumpur this morning.

Chong was referring to how Nazri had admitted his mistake when commenting on the diplomatic bungle over Chinese ambassador Huang Huikang being called in to Wisma Putra to explain the latter's statement made during a Petaling Street visit on the eve of the aborted red shirts protest there.

Chong ready to meet Tajuddin

Tajuddin was on Thursday reported saying the Chinese deserved to be slapped ( lempang ) for trying to take their grouses to the China government, but The Star Online subsequently reported him denying flatly having uttered the comment.

“I am not a young boy. How can I use that kind of word?

"If I say something, it should suit my stature as a veteran politician. How can I use stupid words like that?" the Umno deputy minister and Pasir Salak MP was reported saying.

Despite the comment being caught on audio, Tajuddin has juggled various responses from him being misquoted to saying it was meant as a joke.

Chong, who is MCA Youth chief, said he will bring the issue to BN's supreme council for resolution.

Queried on whether he accepts Tajuddin's challenge to meet him over the "slapping" remark, Chong said, "If he wants to meet to clarify the matter, I welcome it."

Pressed further, he said, "Yes, I am okay to meet. No problem."

Yesterday, Tajuddin said Chong should meet him instead of airing his displeasure through the media, and also demanded the MCA senator apologise for it.

Related stories:

Ling: Tajuddin 'kurang ajar', I wouldn't dream of slapping Malays

Zam: Chinese won't support BN, so no need to say 'sorry'