Penang Gerakan Youth has slammed Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng for his remarks on the current MCA crisis, saying Lim was adding “fire” to a volatile political situation.

Youth vice-chairman Tan Kah Leong said instead of asking the people to unite and softening down emotions, he chose to talk bad about another party’s affairs at a public function.

“It is unbecoming of the Chief Minister to decry the MCA as a money collecting agency. In fact, Lim should not attempt to divide the people and belittle the MCA in front of a mixed audience,” said Tan in a statement, adding that Lim should not interfere into the internal affairs of another party.

Tan urged the Chief Minister to focus his efforts to lead Penang out of the economic downturn and attract more foreign investors to the state.

“Lim can talk about politics at his own party function, but not at the Taman Dedap/Jalan 6 Phor Thor (hungry ghosts) festival dinner in Butterworth on Sunday, which was attended by people from all walks of life,” Tan said.

Tan said he sympathized with MCA members present at the function, during which Bagan MCA division Youth chief David Chua rushed to the VIP table, where Lim was seated soon after Lim had delivered a 10-minute speech.

Tan said Lim’s unreasonable comments on the MCA would naturally draw resentment in a public gathering, where members from various political parties were present. “Lim is clever at rubbing salt on people’s wound. We are aghast with his antics.”