Umno supreme council member Reezal Merican Naina Merican today defended the actions of participants of a rally to condemn Machang Bubuk state assemblyperson Lee Khai Loon.
 
Reezal Merican, who was not at the event but agreed to comment on it, said the rally reflected the feelings of the Malay community which cannot tolerate Lee’s “despicable” stunt last week.
 
He was referring to the flashmob organised by Lee on Wednesday involving 15 people aimed at mocking the Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s “kangkung” remark and to highlight the failures of government policies in controlling the price of essential goods and services.
 
Reezal said that Lee’s flashmob was “disproportionate”, which has left the Malay community incensed. 
 
"Any disproportionate action will elicit the same reaction. Lee's action was despicable as he did not observe the proper decorum.
 
"Making a replica of Najib and getting people to stuff kangkung into its mouth is an act of mind poisoning and instigation," he told Malaysiakini.
 
PM is magnanimous, unlike CM
 
During the rally, some 300 people shouted obscenities directed at Lee and burnt a mannequin with Lee’s photo in place of a head. Some protesters also spat on Lee’s photograph.
 
There were also seen banging the shutters of the shoplot that serves as Lee’s service centre and two individuals, identity unknown, were assaulted.
 
Asked if the rowdy incident would hurt Umno’s image, Reezal said that the party was not the organiser of the rally and thus it was not incumbent upon the party to contain the crowd.
 
Reezal said he would not condone of such behaviour had Lee apologised.
 
Reezal, who is also the Kepala Batas MP, said Lee should have used the proper channels – such as the state legislative assembly – to air his views instead of resorting to mocking the prime minister.
 
“The PM has never asked me or anyone in Umno to burn (effigies). He is very magnanimous. He came to Penang to celebrate Christmas together with Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng with money paid by the federal government.
 
“Who will benefit from this?" he asked.
 
He said that in every rally, there will be a mix of extremist and moderate elements, but stressed that he doesn’t condone the act of burning anything or violence.
 
'We don't want another May 13'
 
Meanwhile, Reezal explained that a similar rally at the Sunway Carnival Mall yesterday where protesters held a banner which read “Because of DAP’s mouth, May 13 happened. Want more?” was meant to remind Pakatan Rakyat that the incident should not recur.
 
Reezal, who attended that rally as well, said he had no knowledge of individuals responsible for the banner and that some people had misunderstood its message as a threat.
 
Earlier today, Lim had accused Umno of sedition by displaying the banner, adding that some DAP leaders have lodged police reports on the incident.
 
On why protesters were targeting DAP although Lee was from PKR, Reezal said Lim – who is DAP secretary-general - must take responsibility for what is happening in the state 
 
"He cannot be quiet. That's why I target DAP and CM (not because they are Chinese) but because they are responsible for what happens to the state," he said.
 
He said Lim had failed to speak up against Lee’s “insolent” behaviour.
 
Demolishment of stalls
 
He denied allegations that Umno was targeting Lee and DAP to divert public attention from rising cost of living issues, as Umno leaders are urging the state government to look into the welfare of Malay businesses in the state as well.
 
He said that there have been many traders who have had their stalls demolished recently by the state government.
 
"Why is there no pity for them or can't they be given a chance? I went to the market and a hawker said he had received 15 summonses.
 
"He cannot afford to pay it as one summons is RM300 a summons. Why not try to figure out how they are supposed to live?" he asked.