The DAP-led Penang Government has come under fire for removing banners which depicted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak extending Chinese New Year (CNY) greetings to the people.

Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said it was also unbecoming of the state government as feedback received had also indicated that some people had stepped on the banners bearing the prime minister's image, after they were pulled down.

With guns blazing, the tourism minister minced no words when she said Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng should apologise for the disrespectful behavior towards a prime minister of Malaysia.

"He (Lim) must remember (Najib) is the Prime Minister of Malaysia, including Penang. Step on the prime minister's face is tantamount to stepping on Malaysia's face.

"If a banner (bearing the image of the prime minister) is torn down, it means turning down Malaysia," she said.

Dr Ng was asked to comment on the Seberang Prai Municipal Council's action to remove Chinese New Year banner wishes from the prime minister as those who had put them up had reportedly not applied for a permit.