Machang Bubuk state assemblyperson Lee Khai Loon who had organised a kangkung themed flash mob against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, has found that not even his parents are spared in a strike back from government supporters.

 

After two counter-protests by Umno against Lee, including one in front of his office that turned violent, his office mobile number is now being bombarded by vulgar messages wishing his family ill.

 

"Woi, damn you... you are a pig. Is your mother a whore? Your father must be damned too. You and your whole family can die," read one of the text messages.

 

When contacted, Lee said he received several such messages and will make a police report soon.

"We are in the processing of compiling all the messages including those on Facebook and Twitter and we will hand them to the police," he told Malaysiakini .

 

Lee had on Jan 15 had organised an anti-price hike flash mob where kangkung, or water spinach, was stuffed into the mouth of an effigy of Najib.

 

Kangkung-themed jokes mocking the prime minister had gone viral after he lamented that the people were critical of price hikes but did not thank the government when the price of kangkung, a wild vegetable, went down.

 

Two protests backed by Umno to support Najib had since taken place over the weekend with one threatening riots while another turned violent when two passersby were beaten up by protesters.

'Umno cannot abdicate responsibility'

 

In a statement, Lee slammed Penang Umno deputy chief Reezal Merican Naina Merican for  distancing  Umno from the protests that went awry.

"I want to stress that among the leaders that led the protest included Penang Umno secretary Musa Sheikh Fadzir ( right ) who is also Bukit Mertajam Umno chief, Penang Umno Youth chief Rafizal Rahim, Penang Malay Congress president Rahmad Isahak, Perkasa Wira chief Ridzuan Azudin and Pekida.

 

"All of them are Umno members, and are from organisations that are pro-Umno. Can Umno wash its hands over the violence that happened by simply denying that the protest was not organised by Umno?" he queried.

 

Lee ( left ) described the action as an attempt to intimidate him and silence the rakyat from questioning the price hikes.

 

Meanwhile, PKR's Seri Setia state assemblyperson Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad has voiced support for Lee, saying that he was merely voicing out he people's concern in a peaceful manner.

 

"However, Umno reacted by fanning racial sentiments and threatening to repeat the May 13 riots.

 

"Umno should not play with fire. Where is the 1Malaysia, with the  moderation and transformation that Umno leaders have been trumpeting?" he said.