Malay rights group Perkasa is upset that the launch of the East Coast Rail Link, a major project for the country, appeared to have been a Chinese affair.

"Perkasa was informed that the breaking ground ceremony did not feel like it happened in Malaysia. It was filled with Chinese language banners," said Perkasa secretary-general Syed Hassan Syed Ali.

Syed Hassan said not even a Malaysian flag was in sight during the launch.

"More unfortunate is the emcee, who also spoke in Mandarin, may have also been brought in from China," he said...