The Penang DAP headquarters in Jalan Rangoon saw another attack last night, the second within 24 hours, and this time, the building was splashed with red paint.

The first attack was carried out on Saturday.

 

Upon hearing about it, Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng, Penang Island City (MBPP) councillor Ong Ah Teong and Wisma DAP chief of staff Martin Lim rushed to the scene around 11.30pm last night.

According to Teh, CCTV recording showed the incident happened around 8.28pm.

Two men were seen on a motorcycle which stopped on the side lane of Wisma DAP, where they then threw the paint on the metal gate.

This followed earlier attacks on Teh’s service centre, and an arson bid at state DAP chief Chow Kon Yeow’s service centre ( photo ) on Jalan Kedah on Saturday.

At a press conference this morning, Chow said the public perceive the attacks are linked to MBPP’s move to dismantle Umno’s illegal logo along Jalan Macalister on Friday afternoon.

“Is this revenge or a warning to DAP?” asked Chow, who urged the police to probe the arson incident thoroughly so that his question may be answered.

“Issue over the signboard is just a small matter, which involved violation of council rules, so do not over-react,” Chow said.

Arson is a criminal act

However, he said arson is a criminal act and Umno should learn from the lessons of the past two general elections, referring to the party’s failure to capture Penang in the last two polls.

“Stop it now, whoever wants to express their unhappiness. It is enough,” he stressed.

Chow welcomed Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor’s response to the Umno logo incident, where he said nobody enjoyed immunity, and Umno itself needed to abide by the law.

Tengku Adnan had reportedly said that proper procedures must be complied with when urged to order the Kuala Lumpur City Council to tear down DAP signboards in the city.

“Although we belong to a political party, we need to let the local authority enforce the law.

“Tengku Adnan’s statement is quite positive and shows that he is able to act beyond politics,” said Chow ( photo ), who is state executive councillor.

Chow slammed Penang Umno chief Zainal Abidin Osman for contradicting himself in his statement regarding the dismantled signboard.

Zainal had then criticised MBPP for acting “rashly and irresponsibly” as instructed by the DAP-led government to dislodge the logo without following proper procedure.

Chow said Zainal insisted that the land (on which the signage was erected along Jalan Macalister) belonged to JKP Sdn Bhd, a federal-government linked company.

“He was trying to imply they can put it up without permission, but then said they had already promised to submit an application on Monday,” Chow pointed out.

Public will know structure is illegal

He said the erection of any structure needed the approval of the local councils.

This was a “small matter” and should be left to the local councils to handle, Chow added.

“Furthermore, these regulations and laws were approved by the federal government, so Zainal Abidin and Umno should just follow their own laws.

“Don't embarass Umno in this manner, they are now placing their own party in shameful position,” he said.

Chow added that even if no action is taken, the public will point out that the structure is illegal.

Accompanying Chow at the press conference was state executive councillor Jagdeep Singh Deo.

Jagdeep ( photo ) said attempted arson is a serious criminal offence as it threatens life.

“It is punishable under section 436 of the Penal Code and offenders can be jailed up to 20 years," he said.

Jagdeep urged the police to take an immediate action over the perpetrators.

“Since several DAP centres have come under attack, this is not a coincidence.

“We hope the police can increase its surveillance over DAP service centres to provide more protection,” he added.