MCA Youth leaders are keeping mum over Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin's refusal to apologise over his controversial remarks.

The leaders cited a directive from the MCA Youth political bureau last Wednesday which stated that the wing's chief Liow Tiong Lai would deal with the issue.

While Liow is currently in China, other MCA Youth leaders contacted by malaysiakini today declined to comment.

Liow's deputy Ling Hee Leong ( left ) said he was willing to comment on anything except the 'Khairy issue'.

Ling was forced to explain himself at the wing's general assembly Saturday over his 'private meeting' with Khairy who raised temperatures by claiming that the Chinese would take advantage if Umno was weakened.

"I don't think it is appropriate to comment because as you know it was decided at the (political bureau) meeting that Liow would handle the situation," said Ling.

"I explained at the general assembly about what I did (meeting Khairy), and why I did it. What the party will do next after yesterday's comments (Khairy refusing to apologise) will be handled by Liow," he added.

Ling, who is the eldest son of former MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik, was reprimanded on Saturday over his 'private meeting' where delegates told him not to become a 'spokesperson' for Khairy.

Yesterday, Khairy, who is also Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's son-in-law, reportedly said that statements defending the dignity of one's race and religion do not require an apology.

MCA Youth secretary-general Wee Ka Siong, when contacted, was also tightlipped about this. "I cannot say anything on behalf of the party. The issue is to be handled officially by the Youth chief."

Top leaders silent

Yesterday, the 'Khairy issue' was discussed at the MCA annual general assembly (AGM) but, unlike the scathing remarks which emerged at the Youth meet on Saturday, this was a more tame affair.

Although numerous delegates took the premier's son-in-law to task for his remarks, Khairy was not mentioned in any of the 13 resolutions passed by the AGM.

The party's top leadership preferred to remain silent on the issue in the presence of Abdullah, who was there to officiate the AGM, and Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein who had since warned other parties not to 'challenge us'.

However, other MCA leaders appeared to be a bit more vocal.

Negeri Sembilan central committee member Wong Pik Min said Khairy's remarks were irresponsible and "showed that he was only thinking of promoting his own agendas."

Johor central committee member Tan Puay Chuan refused to accept Khairy's claim that his remarks were not aimed at hurting the feelings of the Chinese community.

"When someone suddenly slaps you and apologises to you the next minute and says it was a misunderstanding, can you still treat him as a friend?" he asked.

Publish it in dailies

Comments on Khairy were not only limited to the debate. Attending delegates also conveyed their dissatisfaction with the 31-year-old politician to the media.

Met at the sidelines of the meeting, Selangor Wanita MCA delegate Cindy Leong said an open apology was the only remedy.

"You can't shy away from reality. If Khairy limited his apology to MCA through the proper channels, it would not be enough. He must apologise to the Chinese community directly," she said.

Taking a more lenient stand, MCA veteran Chok Chee Heung said an apology in any form would indicate that Khairy had realised his mistake and will be more cautious in future.

"We should give him a chance to work closely again with the party," he added.

Also pushing for an apology, Wanita MCA secretary-general Yu Chock Tou said it could help rebuild bridges.

"If he apologises, that means he recognises his own fault and he can be given another chance, but if he does not, it is impossible for us to accept him again," she said.

MCA Youth Kuala Langat division organising secretary Tan Lai Kim wanted Khairy to publish a full-page apology in all Chinese dailies.

Now with Khairy revealing that an apology had 'never crossed his mind' and MCA Youth leaders choosing to remain silent, the next episode to this saga will be revealed when Liow returns to the country on Wednesday.