Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang has denied claims on social media that a lion dance troupe had refused to perform before Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor during the party's Chinese New Year open house in Kuala Lumpur over the weekend.

In a Facebook posting, he explained that the lion dancers appeared to be standing still, which sparked off the speculation, because they were peeling a pomelo and several oranges for the prime minister and his wife.

“It takes time to do this. None of the performers are Superman.

“I doubt anyone could have peeled a pomelo and a few oranges in less than 30 seconds," he said, adding that such a feat would be impossible for anyone, regardless of whether they are performing a lion dance or otherwise.