MCA secretary-general Ong Ka Chuan suggested that party's Youth Chief Chong Sin Woon volunteer in the flood relief efforts in Penang to make amends for his "deity" jibe.

According to Kwong Wah Yit Poh, Ong said this in response to questions on whether the party will take disciplinary action against Chong who had said "deity-like" Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng should not fight the heavens amid the floods.

Ong said the comment was careless but it was not intended to cause hurt.

"I think allowing him to help in the flood relief will be a more practical course of action.

"After all, he is a young man who can be hotblooded.

"Hopefully people can be understanding and not take it to heart," Ong (photo) was quoted as saying about the 43-year-old Chong.

Speaking at the 64th MCA annual general assembly yesterday, Chong had noted Lim's boast that the federal opposition can resolve flood issues in the country.

"(Despite being) ‘deity-like’…he is not as powerful as he claims to be in solving the flood problem.

"Therefore, don't fight the heavens, even if you're a deity," he had said.

Chong had apologised for slighting Penangites on the same day of making the comment.

MCA had deployed its crisis relief squad to Penang following the floods.

Penang saw its heaviest rainfall in recorded history on Nov 4 and 5, causing unprecedented floods on the mainland and island. Parts of Kedah was also severely affected.

The heavy rainfall was caused by a tropical disturbance referred to as "Invest 95W", according to the Pacific Disaster Centre.