The Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) is seeing red over DAP Sibu branch for not getting a permit from the council to operate its mobile voter verification unit.

Its deputy chairman Daniel Ngieng said yesterday that a group of party leaders had set up a canopy along a pedestrian walk at Central Road.

"They set up a so-called operation room which was installed with computers and manned by some workers to check the voters' list.

"When our enforcement officers approached them to ask for the permit, one of the leaders told them they had obtained the approval from council chairman Tiong Thai King," he said.

Ngieng said this was a blatant lie as Tiong had never been approached and he was now in Kuala Lumpur attending the Dewan Rakyat sitting.

He said at about 3.30pm, they dismantled the canopy by themselves.

Ngieng said this morning the DAP leaders again set up their mobile unit at the Rejang Park commercial area without a permit.

"The permit is mandatory. We have even taken action against traders displaying their products along the pedestrian walk or the five-foot way which is meant for the convenience of shoppers and members of the public.

"They are openly challenging the law. This is very dangerous and creates a dangerous precedence," he said.

He said that if the SMC were to have taken action against them, it would be seen as if it was purposely victimising the party.

"DAP and its Pakatan Rakyat group have talked about forming the government in Sarawak.

"But their latest action casts doubt on their credibility and responsibility. They should not regard themselves as being above the law," Ngieng said.

- Bernama