Balik Pulau Umno division chief Dr Hilmi Yahya apologised for the action of his Youth wing members who put up protest banners against Penang Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Khoon at a function attended by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in the state yesterday.

Hilmi, who is also the Finance Ministry parliamentary secretary, said he was "shocked and embarrassed" by the incident.

"I didn't know about this until I saw the banners. I am very embarrassed and sorry it happened," he was quoted as saying by the Star today.

At yesterday's event, where Koh was also present, the Umno Youth members put up banners that read ' Koh Tsu Koon tidak ikhlas ' (Koh Tsu Koon is insincere), ' Kami diusir secara diam ' (We are quietly driven away) and ' Kerajaan negeri harus bekukan polisi perumahan ' (state government must freeze housing policy).

Don't play banner politics

At a press conference later, Abdullah criticised the move.

"Don't have to play banner politics. Sometimes, when people are very angry, this is what happens but we should resolve the problems through talks and the proper channels," he said.

Meanwhile, Hilmi said the protest on the housing policy was related to development in Balik Pulau that was discussed at length during the division's meetings.

"We decided that we wanted development but at the same time, we wanted to keep it green," he added.

Umno Youth wings in Penang have been calling for the chief minister's post to be rotated in order to boost the status of the Malays there.

According to them, the state government - helmed by the predominantly Chinese-based Gerakan party - was neglecting the Malays.

However, Abdullah has since ruled out the possibility of rotating the post.

Yesterday, the premier told Koh to act fast to resolve the problems faced by the Malays in the state.