KUALA LUMPUR - An extravagant party by a privately-owned Malaysian bank for its ageing founder has sparked ridicule online, with some comparing it to the type of event held in North Korea to praise leader Kim Jong Il.

A videoclip of the July 23 event to mark Public Bank's 45th anniversary and honour chairman Teh Hong Piow, 81, began circulating online this week.

It shows hundreds of bank staff, singers and dancers waving small flags in a banquet hall to welcome Tan Sri Teh.

Ranked Malaysia's third-wealthiest person by Forbes magazine, he arrived waving from a pick-up truck flanked by motorcycle outriders, as the crowd sang: 'Man of honour, a living legend. Let's rise up now and sing out loud.'

Performers later stretched out their arms, as if worshipping him.

The extravaganza was savaged by Malaysian users of Twitter and bloggers.

Read the full story.