(AFP) Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today urged MCA to unite and resolve a widening rift wisely to ensure that the party remained strong.

Mahathir's call followed the chaos which erupted yesterday at the party's Youth annual general meeting (AGM) which was marred by fist fights, flying chairs and a bomb scare.

Several stink bombs were also thrown onto the stage during the melee and police had to be called in to restore order. Delegates later passed a resolution to sack two youth leaders.

"Even if there are problems, we must resolve them wisely so that there will not be adverse implications," Mahathir told more than 1,000 MCA delegates when opening the party's annual general assembly at its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

"There will always be problems but you can solve them in a way that the (party) will remain as strong as ever."

The MCA has been split by its controversial takeover of Nanyang Press Holdings, which publishes Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press .

Many Chinese groups have protested against the deal, saying they fear political interference in the traditionally independent Chinese dailies.

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