Driving along Penang these days, one gets the feel that the state is already in an election campaign mode, with BN flags flying high along several roads.

But not everyone is happy with this as the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) has lodged a report about the matter at the Pulau Tikus police station last night.

MPPP councillor Ong Ah Teong said that over 100 BN flags were hoisted dangerously along Tanjung Tokong over the weekend.

The report was lodged to protect the MPPP from being responsible as two of the flags were placed on 9m-high flagpoles at a shopping complex, even far above the Jalur Gemilang, added Ong.

“This is truly disrespectful to the sovereignty of the Agong and country,” said Ong during a press conference today.

Ong, who is assistant to Dato Keramat assemblyperson Jagdeep Singh Deo, said the parties who placed the flags have not obtained any permit from the MPPP.

He added that the flags were fixed on top of 9m-high lampposts along Jalan Bagan Jermal, Jalan Gottlieb and Jalan Tanjong Tokong.

He said that the MPPP was concerned that the manner in which the flags were placed might cause accidents to motorists.

“We were informed about the flags at about 11pm on Saturday night. They are placed so high up that they pose a danger to the public and motorists if the flags were to fall on them,” said Ong.

“It’s also very windy and now is the rainy season. We are concerned that accidents can occur anytime with the height and the way in which the flags are placed. Those responsible should think about the public and not only about their party,” he added.

“The political parties involved should take responsibility on this matter and not just push it aside to its supporters,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, the MPPP is surprised how the flags are being fixed at such a height as no permit had been applied for from the police to operate a crane to fix them on lampposts.

“But we have video evidence that these people have caused traffic congestion along Jalan Bagan Jermal on Saturday night when putting up the flags,” he said, adding that council enforment officers have been taking down the flags since this morning.

Loga Mohan: Lim's administration insecure

When contacted, state BN pyswar chief Loga Bala Mohan said he was aware of the flags being put up along the mentioned areas.

He hit out at Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s administration for being “insecure” about the BN.

“Why are they so insecure? Just because we put up the flags, they think people are going to come out and support us,” he told Malaysiakini .

dr m loga bala mohan ppp penang chief 251108 03 Loga Bala ( left ) questioned why the MPPP was lodging a police report about the matter when they are supposed to be the authority.

“You mean they do not know how to do their work? They do not know what to do when the flags are out of place?” he asked.

Loga Bala said he was aware that the flags are put up without a permit from the MPPP, saying that it was always a problem to obtain it.

When told that the flags are being taken down, Loga Bala said, “It’s not the first time this is happening. They are always taking down our flags.”

Loga Bala, who is state People’s Progressive Party chief, urged the Lim administration to act professionally and not act like a “bully” towards its opponents.