MCA has urged DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and central committee member Lim Kit Siang to reprimand Perak DAP leader Nga Kor Ming over his recent speech on Dr Mahathir Mohamad's longevity.

In a statement today, MCA spokesperson Ti Lian Ker said this was more apt than telling voters that Nga was cabinet minister material.

"If this is the type of minister we are going to change for, then something must be seriously wrong," said Ti.

On Saturday, Nga had delivered an innuendo-filled Mandarin speech which, among others, said that Mahathir does not have long to live and must stay healthy in order to lead the opposition to victory against BN.

BN supporters circulated the video clip of his speech with Bahasa Malaysia subtitles, and attacked him over it. 

Following this, Nga apologised over the crass analogies used while accusing BN operatives of providing translations which were out of context.

Nga is currently Pakatan Harapan's candidate for the Teluk Intan parliamentary seat and the Aulong state seat.

Meanwhile, Ti criticised Nga for attempting to justify the contents of his speech by claiming that the Chinese community accepted the use of harsh language.

Ti said Nga's excuse had given the Chinese community - which he said was decent and respectful - a bad name.

"To speak of the impending death of an elderly person is tantamount to a curse. This is definitely 'un-Chinese' and strongly disapproved of by Chinese custom and culture.

"Nga's shockingly rude joke over the possible impending death of Mahathir is unwarranted and distasteful.

"If you have to make such horrible and insensitive jokes, then please do it in your own name and DAP's – Do not bring in the Chinese or falsely claim that the community accepts such poor behaviour," said Ti.

Ti said although being rude was "part of DAP's culture", the Malaysian Chinese should not be equated with their behaviour and that the party was responsible for strained ties between the Chinese and Malays.