The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has refuted allegations that it was directed by DAP or the state government the party it leads, to tear down an illegal Umno structure.

MBPP councillor Ong Ah Teong said the matter was a simple case of “obeying the law” and was not prompted by any directive from DAP or from the state government.

“Don’t blame anyone else as the Penang government has no time for such petty things,” Ong said.

He said MBPP enforced its powers under the 1976 Local Government Act, and its by-laws, which were out put in place  by the BN before it lost the state government to Pakatan Rakyat in 2008.

“If the company that illegally put up the signboard, JKP Sdn Bhd, had a permit, MBPP will not disturb the structure,” Ong ( on the right in photo ) said at a press conference today.

“Don’t just blame MBPP or DAP or the state government. Just follow rules and regulations, and respect the law, as stated in our Rukun Negara,” he added.

“I can understand when Umno Youth kicked up a fuss because it may be naive, but the party’s state liaison chief Zainal Abidin Osman was a former deputy minister. Surely he understands the law?” Ong asked.

He said Umno should understand that the laws applied to all, and refrain from any “gangster like” methods to deal with the tussle over the signboard.

Umno leaders should not politicise the issue as these rules and regulations apply to all the people, no matter their identities or party affiliation.

Ong praised Umno’s ally Gerakan for obeying the law when it applied for the necessary permits to carry out renovations for the party’s headquarters along Jalan MacAlister.

‘Umno angry with DAP government’s attitude’

Ong was responding to Zainal’s criticism that the MBPP was “rash” and failed to follow proper procedures when demolishing the signage erected at the entrance to Menara Umno.

Zainal ( photo ) was quoted by national news agency Bernama as saying that state Umno felt “regret, disappointment and anger” against the DAP government's attitude for instructing MBPP to do so.

Zainal reportedly said this was seen as an “attempt to suppress” the party (Umno).

He cited Section 72 (6) of Act 133 which states that MBPP should give at least a 30 days’ notice to the owner of a building to rectify any non-compliance to procedures.

Ong explained that an urgent notice had sent to the company, informing it of the illegal structure.

Ong said the move was prompted by complaints from the public, and after visiting the site to check whether the structure was indeed erected without permit.

He said MBPP then issued a verbal warning to a JKP officer, who reportedly gave his assurance that the company would apply for a permit immediately.

However, by on last Friday noon, the ‘Umno’ structure was put up without a permit, and MBPP workers proceeded to dismantle it.