An MCA leader has accused DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang of sensationalising two pre-Chinese New Year incidents in an attempt to incite unrest among the Chinese community and the people.

MCA publicity spokesperson Ti Lian Ker said both incidents were "honest mistakes" and the parties concerned had apologised for what was described by their critics as a sign of disrespect to the Chinese community.

In a statement, Ti cited Petronas' original white ang pau packet design - commonly associated with Chinese funerals - and the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry's newspaper advertisement which featured a barking rooster rather than a dog.

"Both quarters have since apologised, but not before the issue was exploited to the extent that it was even highlighted in foreign newspapers.

"For example, this headline, 'Malaysian government mocked for featuring barking rooster in Chinese ‘Year of the Dog’ ad cock-up' was carried in the South China Morning Post on Feb 16, which in my opinion was totally uncalled for," Ti said in a statement.

"The persons responsible for this are, of course, none other than our friends in the opposition, like DAP's Lim Kit Siang (photo) and Pakatan Harapan's Saifuddin Abdullah, as if Malaysians are racially divided and at the brink of breaking up.

"All these are hyped up by DAP and Pakatan to paint a picture of disunity and in particular to 'Make Chinese Angry'," claimed Ti who is also an MCA central committee member.

He also claimed that Lim and DAP would exploit all available opportunities just to further their political agenda, at the expense of unity among the people.

"Certainly, this tweet by him (Lim), 'Ministry's CNY ad features 'barking' rooster. Under BN, rooster can bark. Next year, it can grunt and oink. This is why Msia must Ubah in 14GE!' was below the belt.

"DAP, instead of forgiving and forgetting in the spirit of Chinese New Year, has exploited and manipulated the error to the hilt and this has been part of their toxic politics of 'Ubah' (change)," he further claimed.

Ti, as such, urged the people to reject such purported attempts to sow discord, accept the apologies, and move on.

According to the Chinese Zodiac calendar, this Chinese New Year ushers in the Year of the Dog replacing the previous Year of the Rooster.

Malaysia had made international headlines for not only the cultural faux pas but also on the general omission of dogs from Chinese New Year decorations this year.