Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said he has no problems if a pedang kung fu (Chinese martial arts sword) is used to symbolise a cause on the part of any Chinese component party, when quizzed by reporters at a press conference at the MCA youth general meeting today.

Hishammuddin, who raised controversy with his ketuanan melayu (Malay supremacy) statements, did a double take, and explained away the meaning behind last week's function where Penang CM and Gerakan deputy president Dr Koh Tsu Koon raised a large mock keris together with the Umno Youth chief.

"Using the keris as a symbol is not a problem. Even Koh himself used the keris. This is an obselete concept of the younger generation, that a object such as the keris would belong to a particular group," Hishammuddin told reporters.

Present were MCA deputy president Chan Kong Choy and MCA Youth chief Liew Tiong Lai.

"This shows that it is possible if we set aside such pettiness. It would only be sensitive if we make it sensitive. We are in fact proud that the Penang CM raised the keris. This could be a symbol that unites us too," he said.

"Even if a pedang kung fu was used, this would not pose a problem to us," he said, adding that the real issues are the issues raised by the youth chief, which are issues that are close to the hearts of the Tiong Hua (Chinese).

Hishamuddin said the use of the keris is not a problem and that in fact it's not the sole right for the Malays to use it.

"Those who think the keris is a symbol of the Malays have an outdated mindset. The younger generation does not see the keris as belonging to one ethnic group alone."

Hishammuddin said in fact he felt proud when Koh took out the keris. "This shows a unifying symbol."

In the 2005 Umno general assembly, Hishammuddin had brandished the keris while calling for the restoration of the NEP as part of the National Development Policy (NDP). It was then implied that the keris symbolised the role of Umno Youth in championing the Malay race.

His deputy, Khairy Jamaluddin then also mooted the revival the New National Agenda (NNA), a revision of sorts for the of the NEP.

Pertinent issues

Hishammuddin, in jest, said that he would follow through recommendations made by Liow as he has to accept and consider the MCA Youth leader's calls as Liow had mentioned and quoted the former's father and grandfather in his speech.

In his speech, Liow had heaped praises on Hishammuddin's father, former prime minter Tun Hussein Onn and grandfather Umno founding father Onn Jaafar.

He said Onn was a visionary man, who "stuck to his personal beliefs", while describing Tun Hussein as a "brave and just administrator".

On the matter of teacher shortages, Hishammuddin, who is education minister, said that his deputy, Hon Choon Kim, "told him that the problem in Chinese schools can be solved," and that the problem arose only from certain states and schools.

He referred to the problem of lack of teachers in national schools to teach Mandarin.

On the issue of building new Chinese schools, Hishammuddin said the issue is over and done with. "It was not raised today, so why should I answer," he said.