Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said today his comments during an interview with a Chinese daily recently was misinterpreted by the journalist conducting it and this had led to hurt feelings among component parties in BN.

He said the question of apologising did not arise because the report was wrong, possibly because the journalist concerned was not very well versed in Bahasa Malaysia.

"I view Umno and MCA's relationship as a strong marriage... a marriage that has lasted more than 50 years. Obviously there will be quarrels and complaints
.
"A long marriage that will not end in divorce. I never asked MCA to leave (BN)," he said in commenting on the controversy that arose over the report.

In the report, Nazri was said to have described MCA as "isteri yang dizalimi tetapi enggan meminta cerai" (wife who is continuously bullied but does not want a divorce).

MCA and Gerkan had taken Nazri to task for the comments and demanded an apology.  

Earlier, Nazri had graced a community function involving leaders of Kampung Padang Rengas here.

- Bernama