Police should impose heftier sentences on the 12 pro-Umno supporters who forcefully entered the Penang legislative assembly, Gerakan's national legal and human rights bureau says.

"Since the state assembly represents every Penangite and their elected representatives, the act of invasion amounts to waging war against the whole state," bureau chief Baljit Singh. Said today.

"The state assembly not represents the Governor and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong only. Invading the House is an invasion into Malaysian society and an invasion of the country's democratic system," Baljit ( right ) said.

On Wednesday, the state government proposed that sections 121B and 124B of the Penal Code, which provide for life imprisonment and a jail term of up to 20 years upon conviction respectively, be used against the 12 intruders.

This came in response to Inspector General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar’s statement that the 12 were being investigated under sections 147, 427 and 448 of the Penal Code that deal with rioting, mischief and trespassing.

Instigators too much be punished

Baljit said the same condemnation must be levelled against those who "instigated" the invasion, especially those who uttered seditious words to advance their political mileage.

This would include  DAP's Seri Delima assemblyperson RSN Rayer who directed the word "celaka" (be damned) at three Umno leaders in the state assembly, which caused the demonstration by Penang Umno and the thugs, who claimed Rayer insulted Malays and Islam.

Umno Telok Ayer Tawar assemblywoman and state Opposition Leader Jahara Hamid has demanded that Rayer be charged with sedition.

Rayer denied insulting Malays and Islam, saying he only directed the word at MPs Reezal Merican Naina Merican (Kepala Batas) and Shabudin Yahya (Tasek Gelugor) and state Umno deputy chief Musa Sheikh Fadzir, all of whom attended a pro-Umno rally in Seberang Jaya in January.

He was incensed at the trio for joining a gathering where banners blaming DAP for the May 13 racial riots were displayed.

Baljit said the police should also investigate beyond the physical act of invading the state assembly, since the thugs had damaged the iron gate outside the state assembly complex as well as the national and state flags when they forced themselves in.

"Probe every seditious word said by the group and also those who instigated them. Let there be no selective prosecution in this," Baljit told the police.

"Words like ‘haram jadah’ and ‘pariah’ were also uttered during the rally that day, apart from the word ‘celaka’ uttered by Rayer.

"After March 8, 2008, everyone seems to have an inflated ego. Where is the humanity and humility? We should all stop politicking and discuss worthwhile issues that will benefit the people," he added.

Baljit said House speaker Law Choo Kiang ( right ) must also be chided for not acting against Rayer when he uttered the offensive word.

Pakatan Rakyat has often accused Parliament speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia of not being fair, but so is the Penang speaker, he added.

"At the end of day, only the ordinary folk like us suffer. Those who are leaders, please run your government - whether state or federal - properly, and those who are supposed to implement laws in this country, please follow the law," Baljit said.

"Malaysia is a democratic country, not a jungle!"