Obviously not amused, a Penang Umno assemblyperson has condemned yesterday’s flash mob led by PKR leader Lee Khai Loon in Bukit Mertajam to highlight the rising cost of goods in the country.

Pulau Betong assemblyperson Muhammad Farid Saad the act of stuffing the vegetable - which is world famous now - shows the level of his mentality.

He wants Lee to apologise publicly to Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is also BN and Umno chairperson, for his "rude behaviour" and promise not to repeat the act.

He also wants Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to take action against his assemblyperson, saying the latter's silence only shows he endorses the act.

"If such acts of ridicule go on, people would get angry, and chaos would happen, such actions should be stopped soon before things get worse," Farid warned.

Accompanying Lee at the event in Bukit Mertajam yesterday were Seberang Perai Municipal Councillor Ho Leng Hong, several PKR and village security and development committee members and a local youth cycling group.

They carried posters, crying out  "Harga Turun"  and poked fun at Najib by stuffing kangkung into the gaping mouth of his styrofoam  effigy.

Such parodies and jokes about Najib's speech in Kemaman, Terengganu on Sunday, have gone viral over social networking sites and even picked up by the British Broadcasting Corporation.

"He is a graduate, I am sure he can think better. It is so shameful to have not understood such a simple example given by Prime Minister Najib Razak in Kemaman on Sunday," said Farid.

He added that Lee acted childishly and his behaviour is unbecoming of a Machang Bubuk assemblyperson.

He added that Najib's speech was taken out of context when he only meant that there were prices of goods which have gone up, while others decreased, such as "kangkong".

"An assemblyperson ought to show some maturity but he acted like a street activist," said Farid, at a press conference called to slam Lee.

His action shows that he does not understand the prime minister’s speech delivered in  Kemaman, Terengganu on Jan 12, Farid added.

'Carried away with the hype'

"Lee merely got carried away with the hype to ridicule and undermine image of our country's leader," he stressed.

Farid said as his senior in the Penang legislative assembly, he wants to advice Lee to be more sensitive and mature in his politics, as he is new in his job and should learn more.

He added that it was acceptable to debate their differing views but not to ridicule and insult others, especially the number one leader of the country.

"Najib is working hard, goes down to the people with other ministers to find a solution to this problem which is hitting the country," said Farid.

"Assemblyperson should work together to find a solution to this real problem, and not fight over it," he added.

"The problems are real, and the middlemen should not be taking advantage of the situation and increase prices.

“The government and even the state, through the local councils' inspection departments can monitor the situation, and take the necessary action to curb opportunistic quarters from profiting from this price hike," he added.