MCA religious bureau chief Ti Lian Ker questioned DAP's supposed silence over Pakatan Harapan chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad's "balik bugis (sulawesi)" comment, pointing out that it was no different from telling the Chinese to "balik tongsan".

Ti said in the past, the DAP was quick to jump on any racist taunts or perceived racist statements made by individuals associated with BN.

"Since Mahathir had asked the Bugis to return to Bugis (Sulawesi), is DAP now acceptable or tolerant towards racist statements asking the Chinese to 'balik tongsan'.

"No political leader should ever ask any Malaysian to "balik" to their place of ethnic origin. This is a fundamental principle that DAP has now abandoned," he said in a statement today.

Mahathir, in a ceramah last month, had referred to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak as a "Bugis pirate" and asked him to "balik bugis (sulawesi)".

The comment had sparked unhappiness amongst the Bugis community but Mahathir insisted he was only referring to Najib.

Mahathr's comment had also courted criticism from the Selangor and Johor palace, both of which have bugis heritage.

Meanwhile, Gerakan secretary-general Liang Teck Meng described the comment as "racist".

"DAP national leaders such as Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng, Teresa Kok and others would normally jump and fiercely criticise racist statements made by politicians.

"But when Mahathir refused to apologise after being accused of making a racist statement, they remain silent...," he said.

Liang, who is Simpang Renggam MP, challenge Johor DAP leaders to stand by the Johor sultan's criticism of Mahathir.