A caricature of Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng as a clown has emerged in the northern state, after a similar caricature of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak became popular nationwide.

Stickers of the Lim caricature were found stuck at public places like bus stops and street lamps, with the words 'Bungalow Clown', Umno Online reported.

According to Kampung Sungai Burong resident Yusri Ramli, the stickers emerged about a month ago.

"This is probably how the rakyat feels about the CM over the bungalow corruption issue he is facing.

"The clown face is a cynical reaction to Lim's twists and turns when explaining his bungalow purchase," he was quoted by the Umno news portal as saying.

Jelutong resident Jamelah Romzi, 47, said she did not realise it was Lim that was made out as a clown.

"But one day, I was waiting for the bus and the posters were there. I had a close look, and it turned out to be the chief minister," she said.

Lim on July 30 claimed trial to the charge of rezoning of Balik Pulau agriculture land to benefit Magnificent Emblem Sdn Bhd, on July 26, 2015.

He also claimed trial to the charge of buying a bungalow at Jalan Pinhorn for a below market price at RM2.8 million, from business owner Phang Li Koon, when the property was valued at RM4.27 million.

Phang owns Magnificent Emblem.

Activist artist Fahmi Reza was on June 6 charged with uploading images ridiculing the country's leadership when he posted an image featuring a clown-faced Najib on his Facebook page.

The image went viral on social media since he first posted it on Jan 31.