The drawings of controversial cartoonist Zulkifli Anwar Ulhaque or Zunar, criticising Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak at an exhibition held in Geneva, Switzerland, have been described as an insult to a leader whom the people voted for.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak (photo) said he also did not discount the possibility of a collective effort to topple the prime minister.

"I regret his actions. Even if there is a difference in opinion, it should be settled within Malaysia.

"It is not wrong to have differences in opinion, or to disagree with the government, but why involve other countries," he told reporters after the ministry's roundtable and dialogue session in Kuala Lumpur today.

Zunar caught the attention of netizens when he insulted the prime minister through his works.

Salleh said Malaysia was a democratic country which did not stop anyone from voicing their opinions, but this had to be done in the proper manner.

Besides giving a negative image of Malaysia to other countries, such actions were seen as sabotaging the national economy and affecting the confidence of investors in Malaysia.

- Bernama