DAP's Seri Delima assemblyperson RSN Rayer has rubbished claims that four of the 26 blocks of flats at Taman Tun Sardon were repainted in the colour of a political party.

 

Rayer said the colour of the building is light apple green, unlike the PAS logo colour, which is a darker green.

 

He said the green, as seen on billboards around the state, reflects the state government's slogan of a "cleaner, greener, healthier and safer Penang".

 

"The colour does not represent any political party," Rayer (right) told Malaysiakini .

 

"I believe it must be some BN supporters who are not happy with the colour (and may) have complained about it. But I have not received any such complaint," he added.

 

Taman Tun Sardon, which is sandwiched between Island Glades and Minden Heights, is often described as an Umno stronghold with a majority of Malay voters.

 

Rayer said the flats - blocks AH, AG, AJ and AK - were painted about five months ago and the colour was picked after meeting with residents through the local village development and security committee (JKKK).

 

He also refuted claims on the safety aspects of the flats, saying he was constantly monitoring the area which falls under his constituency.

 

Correspondingly, Malaysiakini ’s query on the colour of the flats caught JKKK Bukit Gelugor chairperson Mohd Hafiz Abdul Aziz by surprise.

 

"Does it look like the PAS colour? It is a lighter green compared to the colour on PAS flags. It is really the colour on the state's cleaner and greener billboards," Mohd Hafiz said.

 

He said the colour was agreed on after a meeting with residents, at which Rayer was also present.

 

He denied receiving any complaint regarding the colour of the flats or on safety issues.

 

"The flats were painted even before the fasting month began, so I wonder why it is only brought up now," Mohd Hafiz said.

MCA sees red over green buildings

According to the state's official newsletter Buletin Mutiara , Penang executive councillor in charge of housing, Jagdeep Singh Deo, had announced an allocation of RM1 million for the repainting of the 26 blocks of flats.

 

However, Bernama reported yesterday that some residents did not agree with the choice of the colours and design "which looked like the logo on the flag of a political party".

 

Bernama also quoted a resident saying that the repainting of the flats did not seem to place much emphasis on the aspects of safety.

 

The national news agency also quoted Penang Department of Occupational Safety and Health director Mohd Anuar Embi as saying that his officers will inspect the flats today after receiving a complaint from a resident.

Responding to the news report, MCA vice-president Chew Mei Fun (right) condemned the use of “the colours and symbol of PAS” as it is a “clear display of DAP campaigning for PAS”.

Chew said in a statement that such an act is an abuse of public funds and “proof of DAP’s submission towards PAS”.

She said if this was not stopped, party symbols would also be painted onto public housing walls under the guise of "street art" that is allowed by the DAP-led state government.