Under fire over the controversy surrounding his cabinet colleague, MCA president Liow Tiong Lai said the Umno minister "should know what to do".

He added that Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob should be responsible for his statement.

However, Liow did not elaborate on this.

Initially, the MCA president said his party "respected" the cabinet's decision on Ismail Sabri.

On the same note, he added that since MCA grassroots felt strongly, the matter "must be dealt with".

Ismail drew flak over his Facebook post calling on Malays to boycott Chinese traders who refused to reduce the prices of goods.

The Prime Minister's Office, however, claimed that the minister was targetting errant traders of all races.

Yesterday, 165 MCA Youth divisions demanded an apology from Ismail but did not stipulate a deadline and dismissed questions on the next course of action should the minister refuse to comply as presumptuous.

Liow has been criticised, including by former MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek, for not making a strong stand on the matter.

MCA respect's PM's decision

Meanwhile, Liow said that Ismail Sabri should find out the real cause of the issue, which he described as "close to the heart" of the people.

"He should analyse the issue and should know what to do about it,” Liow said at the press conference held in Pasar Seni today.

Nonetheless, the MCA president reiterated that the party is firm with its stand and that minister Ismail Sabri should be responsible for the statement made.

"I understand that this issue has been brought up in cabinet, and we (the party) respect the decision made by prime minister Najib.  

"However, there shouldn’t be any racial profiling in this case and I think we (the party) should continue to uphold this," he said.

Liow however sidestepped questions regarding Chua’s criticism, saying that the party should set aside internal affairs and focus instead on the issue itself.

Umno Wanita Chief Sharizat Abdul Jalil, among other who present at the event, however refused to weigh in on the issue.