Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has condemned Umno for being racist, targeting the DAP for the kangkung-theme flash mob although it was organised by PKR Machang Bubuk assemblyperson Lee Khai Loon.
 
"The Umno rally quickly turned racial when DAP’s top leaders were targeted even though Lee is from PKR," said Lim, in a press statement today.
 
"Is DAP an easier and softer target for Umno because we are Chinese, unlike PKR top leaders such as Anwar Ibrahim who are Malay?" asked Lim.
 
Lim said the state government has no problem with Umno's public demonstration against anyone as long as it is peaceful.
 
He reminded the police to permit similar peaceful demonstrations by Pakatan Rakyat in future.
 
He added that police reports will be made against top Penang Umno leaders for threatening public peace and harmony, as well as seditious remarks.
 
However, Lim is not expecting any action by the Attorney-General’s Chambers.
 
"We want to send a strong signal that neither the Penang state government and DAP, nor the people will bow to Umno’s threats," the party's secretary-general said.
 
"Not just DAP, but the Chinese, Indians, Malays, Kadazans and Ibans do not want a May 13 incident," he added.
 
Lim said Umno is only issuing such threats to "play with the fires of racial and religious hatred to run away from their responsibility for the price hikes.
 
'1Malaysia rarely mentioned by Umno-BN'
 
He added that while Penang Umno must be blamed for living in the past for the May 13 threats, it is Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak who is the real victim.
 
"No one is surprised that 1Malaysia is rarely - if ever - mentioned nowadays by Umno or BN," Lim quipped.
 
Lim was responding to threats by pro-Najib protestors, who carried a banner saying ‘Because of DAP leaders’ mouths, May 13, 1969 happened... Want some more?’ at a 600-strong rally in Seberang Jaya yesterday.
 
"This threat is a tacit admission by Umno that they caused the May 13 bloody riots in 1969 that caused the loss of thousands of innocent lives," Lim said.
 
The group had been protesting against Lee's flash mob which was held last Wednesday, where bundles of kangkung were stuffed in the gaping mouth of an effigy of Najib.
 
The flash mob made fun of Najib's speech in Kemaman last Sunday where he remarked that the price of kangkung has gone down and not gone up like other products.
 
The remark sparked a nationwide response where a series of jokes and parodies referring to kangkung were circulated in Facebook and Twitter.
 
Today, about 300 pro-Najib supporters held another rally in Alma, and in front of Lee's service centre, hurling vulgarities at the first-time assemblyperson while two passersby were assaulted before the police stepped in.


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