Penang Umno secretary Musa Sheikh Fadzir has dismissed claims that its members acted like “hooligans” when criticising Penang Island City Council (MBPP) for dismantling the sign at Menara Umno.
Musa said DAP accused Umno of acting like hooligans but the former’s members - who had positions in the state government or city council - acted like "gangsters and ruled with an iron hand”.
"What if a DAP signboard is taken down, how would you (DAP) feel?" Musa queried at a press conference in Komtar today.
"We are willing to discuss and negotiate in a proper manner (on how to resolve the signboard issue). If we are gangsters, we would have already punched you on the face," Musa quipped.
Musa said this after 50 Umno members, led by him, created a scene in Komtar by burning DAP’s flag. They later submitted a memorandum to MBPP to put on record their displeasure at the council’s actions.
He was referring to MBPP councillor Ong Ah Teong who said yesterday that the exercise of dismantling the “illegal” Umno sign along Jalan Macalister involved council rules and regulations.
Ong said Umno had been earlier informed by the MBPP to apply for a permit before putting up the sign.
He flatly denied that the DAP or state government had ordered the council workers to tear down the structure erected in front of Menara Umno.
Obey council laws
Ong had urged Umno to obey the council laws and by-laws drafted and passed in Parliament by its parliamentarians before Pakatan seized Penang in 2008.
Musa ( photo ) also questioned if Ong, who is supposedly only a policy maker, has the power to order the city council to carry out enforcement exercises.
"Why did the Mayor (Patahiyah Ismail) just follow the directive?" Musa asked.
Musa then went on a tirade, accusing MBPP of being unfair to Umno as the party had only received a notice to apply for a permit before putting up the sign at 2.30pm on Friday.
But the enforcement unit had already arrived to dismantle the sign within two hours, at about 4pm, Musa lamented.
Furthermore, the land owner - JKP Sdn Bhd - had already made an appeal on the same day, he noted.
"The notice was given under section 72(2) of Street, Drainage and Building Act, the clause is on stop work orders and not about tearing down structures.
“Only if we fail to do so ourselves, should the council step in. But they couldn't wait and removed it immediately. I don't know if they are trying to seek revenge, demonstrate their power or find fault with us?" he queried.
Racial slant
Musa also viewed with a racial slant, Ong’s ( right in photo ) compliments of ally Gerakan for following proper procedures when renovating its part headquarters on Jalan Macalister.
He claimed Gerakan was given 30 days to submit its application for approval for renovation work because it is "Chinese" as the councillor Ong, is of the same race too.
"Is it fair? He (Ong) is not a public office bearer. This is abuse of power and shameful.
“We hope the mayor will not behave like a lackey of DAP and use her power properly."
Musa said the sign will be left at Menara Umno for now, while the matter is being discussed with the party's liaison committee, headed by Zainal Abidin Osman.
Umno is mulling legal action, if necessary, against the council for the incident.
Musa also denied that Umno members were involved in the attacks at DAP's headquarters in Jalan Rangoon, and two other service centres in Jalan Talipon and Jalan Kedah, which happened over the weekend.
"How can they accuse us without any evidence? Why not let the police investigate?" Musa asked.
Meanwhile, a JKP Sdn Bhd staff named Sharul Zaman said, he tried to submit an application for a permit to the council this morning but the officer-in-charge asked him to do an online application.
"But the officer failed to tell me how to do it online," he said.
