People who were hoping to catch a glimpse of the deputy prime minister at a Chinese New Year function in Ipoh tonight will not get a chance to do so, as it is learnt Najib Abdul Razak will be giving the function a miss due to security reasons.

Speculation was rife earlier today on whether or not the deputy premier would risk meeting angry crowds, or worse still protesters , like those who had 'greeted' dignitaries at the swearing in of the new menteri besar in Kuala Kangsar yesterday.

Since Wednesday, buntings advertising the event at the SRJK Yuk Choy school have dotted various parts of the city. However, the organiser of the event is still unknown.

najib pc on bn takeover of perak state with 4 aduns 050209 02 Najib has been credited as the mastermind behind the unpopular Barisan Nasional takeover of the state government by courting four Pakatan Rakyat state representatives to defect.

A flurry of text messages in various languages have been making rounds asking locals to boycott the event. One text message called Najib's event a "big show".

"To the wise and kind people, protect democracy, reject corruption, uphold the law. The proud people of Perak, reject him (Najib). Do not attend. Let him witness our strength. Please pass this on," read the text message.

A separate text message called on the public to hold a candle light vigil opposite the school tonight in protest of the takeover.

"I will go, dressed in white as though I'm going for a funeral to symbolise my protest," a 28-year-old lawyer told Malaysiakini.

Public ridicule for Hee

Though normally not fans of public protests, a large number from the Chinese community thronged the menteri besar's residence on Thursday night to show support for the Pakatan government.

pakatan ipoh rally 050209 step on najib poster During this event, supporters of ousted Menteri Besar Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin tore down buntings of Najib's event before proceeding to trample and spit on his photograph.

Since then, the menteri besar's residence - which is merely a stone’s throw away from the venue of Najib's function tonight - has been drawing crowds of supporters nightly.

Meanwhile, observers will also be looking to see if Jelapang assemblyperson Hee Yit Foong shows up for Najib's function. She is one of two Chinese reprerentatives in the new BN state government.

Thus far, she has borne the brunt of criticism from the Chinese community and if she shows up tonight, it would mark her first public appearance since the controversial takeover.

There are many rumours in Ipoh that her family members have suffered public criticism and ridicule. This cannot be independently confirmed as her family members have refused interviews.

Wet market traders for example are reportedly refusing to sell her parents vegetables.

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