State BN working committee chairperson Dr Teng Hock Nan got a whacking today for feigning ignorance of the Penang Municipal (MPPP) guidelines to display banners around Penang.

MPPP Public Health Standing Committee alternate chairperson Ong Ah Teong said Teng wants to play “petty politics” by blowing up the issue of Deepavali banners during the auspicious occasion for Hindus.

NONE Ong ( left ) said the former state exco member for local government’s “pettiness” at the time when Hindus are celebrating the festival of lights can cause disharmony between the different ethnic groups.

Moreover, Teng’s comments about the MPPP, which he used to lead previously, can have a “negative impact” on the state government department.

Ong said he does not understand why Teng wants to politicise something as “small” as banners.

“The guidelines for banner approval was in force since the Barisan National’s leadership in Penang, and Teng should know very well about it,” Ong told Malaysiakini .

“If he himself does not know the proper procedures, since he was local government state exco member before, then I am speechless,” Ong added.

Yesterday, Teng said that the BN had applied to place about 10 to 15 banners to wish the public ‘Happy Deepavali’ in Little India but was alloted different spots on Monday, a week after the applications were submitted.

The spots allocated for them were unsuitable as there were only a few Hindu residents in the areas - Perak Road, Persiaran Gurney, Krystal Point in Bayan Baru and Jalan Jelutong.

“We went ahead and placed one banner on Market Street in Little India,” said Teng.

NONE “It is not our intention to go against the law but the state government was so suppressive and oppressive,” alleged Teng ( right ), who is a former Pulau Tikus assemblyperson.

Teng issued the complaint after a walk-about in Little India with Bukit Bendera MCA division chief Tang Heap Seng, state MIC deputy chief L Krishnan, state  Umno deputy chief Musa Sheikh Fadzir and state People’s Progressive Party chief Dr Loga Bala Mohan.

Ong clarified that the applicants did not specify the proper locations and the application did not comply with the existing guidelines.

He maintained that banners can only be displayed on billboards and streamers on lampposts, at least 8ft above the ground.

“But the applicants did not specify clearly which location they wanted for their banners. If they complied with the guidelines, surely we will approve the applications,” he added.