A satirical take on Chin Peng's autobiography has caused outrage among the three main opposition parties, who are far from amused with a photo posted on the Umno Youth website.

Uploaded last Friday, it shows DAP international secretary Ronnie Liu's face superimposed on the cover of the book, 'Alias Chin Peng: My Side of History'.

The photo also features former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim, Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Aziz Nik Mat, PAS chief Abdul Hadi Awang, and DAP leaders Lim Kit Siang and Karpal Singh.

According to reports in the Chinese dailies, the DAP's legal bureau was the first to react by lodging a police report alleging sedition, on Sunday in Sitiawan.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng has also demanded a public apology from Umno Youth over the "seditious material".

Umno Youth's webmaster could not be contacted for comment.

Malicious and unnecessary

Liu has been at the centre of a verbal spat with Umno Youth over an article written in conjunction with Merdeka Day celebrations.

Umno Youth claimed that the article had "belittled" first premier Tunku Abdul Rahman's contributions to nationhood, and its head Hishammuddin Hussein accused Liu of implying that the Communist Party of Malaya had contributed more to the process.

Contacted today, Liu described the picture as "malicious, seditious and totally unnecessary", but said he would leave further action to the discretion of the party's legal bureau.

Liu did not agree that Umno Youth had singled him out, pointing out that stalwarts of other opposition parties were also featured.

Lim too expressed his disappointment over the prank, saying it has "no sense of political responsibility and nation building".

Cheap gimmick

Parti Keadilan Rakyat Youth chief Mohd Ezam Mohd Noor said the issue of independence is serious and that Umno Youth should not have indulged in the prank.

"We feel very disgusted. The picture shows low morals and is a cheap gimmick. An issue as serious as independence cannot be trivialised," he said when contacted.

Ezam felt that it would be better for Umno Youth to focus its efforts on holding a forum to discuss the issue of forgotten heroes of independence, rather than get involved in "immature and irresponsible" satire.

"There is a need to explore (and recognise) other freedom fighters of independence, such as Burhanuddin Helmy and Pak Sako (Ishak Haji Muhd). Since it is part of a dominant party, Umno Youth should take the initiative," said Ezam.

PAS Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub concurred that the prank was immoral and was aimed at causing provocation.