Just as the dust is about to settle on the Ahmad Ismail's racial slur issue, another top Umno leader has been caught in the controversy.

At least two police reports have been lodged against Penang opposition leader Azhar Ibrahim, who is state Umno secretary and Penaga assemblyperson.

At a heated press conference two days ago, Azhar had chastised Sin Chew Daily journalist Tan Hoon Cheng, who first reported Ahmad's allegedly racist remarks belittling the Chinese minority at a Barisan Nasional rally.

"What was written may lead to a racial riot. If such a thing happens, she is the first person that should be shot," Azhar was reported as saying.

The press conference, which was called by Ahmad, degenerated into a ruckus when a photo of former chief minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon, who is Penang BN chief, was ripped from the wall of the Umno headquarters where the event was held and torn into pieces.

A case of ‘criminal intimidation'

The latest police report was lodged today by Segambut parliamentarian Lim Lip Eng at the Sentul police station in Kuala Lumpur.

Lim, who referred to a Malaysiakini report yesterday , said Azahar's threat could be punishable under the Penal Code.

According to Section 506 of the Penal Code, anyone found guilty of "criminal intimidation" is liable a jail sentence of up to seven years.

"Therefore, I urge the police to investigate the matter immediately," said the MP.

The Umno supreme council has today resolved to suspend the membership of Ahmad - a powerful party chieftain in Penang - for three years.

He has also been stripped of all party posts.