Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong said Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's comment that the Chinese Malaysian community would be "the first to be targeted" if there was no peace was bound to cause anger.

This, the DAP lawmaker said, was because the comment can be perceived as containing "elements of threatening Chinese Malaysian voters" ahead of the 14th general election.

"Malaysians must teach Najib and MCA a hard lesson so that they would learn to respect voters and democracy regardless of ethnic background.

“They must be reminded that no leader should ever threaten an entire community merely to gain votes.

To single out the ethnic Chinese in such a way, Najib and MCA are only making more people angry with BN," Liew said in a statement today.

“Najib’s remarks would only anger most Malaysians as no one likes to be threatened with violence, veiled or otherwise.

“This is yet another reason for us to reject Najib, MCA and Barisan Nasional in the coming general election,” he added.

Najib reportedly made the comment in a speech at the “Malaysian Chinese Patriotic Rally” organised by MCA yesterday.

“If there is no peace in our country, what will happen? The Chinese will be the first to be targeted if there is no peace in this country.

“That is why we are a moderate government, we are committed to the peace and harmony, mutual respect to this country.

“We fight the Islamic State (terrorist group), we make sure they don't harm Malaysians including the Chinese in Malaysia,” he was quoted as saying.

Liew reminded that Umno had lost the trust of Chinese and Indian communities when the then Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein wielded a keris at the Umno general election for three consecutive years from 2005 to 2007.

“The waving of the keris was perceived as a not-very-subtle threat of violence against those who did not agree with Umno,” Liew said.

He claimed that MCA is now obsessed with trying to double the number of seats won in the upcoming general election by winning over 30 percent of Chinese support while maintaining the same level of Malay support.

However, he said it is foolish for MCA to assume that Malay voters would continue to support Umno.

“It is now visible and clear that many Malays are prepared to jump from Najib’s sinking ship.

“It is also wishful thinking by Najib and MCA to assume that Malay voters would not feel angry at the waste and plundering of Malaysia’s resources by Najib, his family and associates,” he said.

Najib had consistently denied using public funds for personal gain.