Umno members burn opposition DAP flag in Penang in row over signage

Umno members setting fire to two opposition Democratic Action Party (DAP) flags outside the Komtar building in Penang on June 23, 2015. PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

GEORGETOWN (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - A group of Umno members and supporters created a ruckus and set fire to two opposition Democratic Action Party (DAP) flags at Komtar to vent their anger at the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) for trying to tear down Umno signage at Menara Umno last week.

The group gathered at 10.30am yesterday and marched with state Umno secretary Musa Sheik Fadzil to the state office's entrance on Level Three.

A commotion started when security guards rushed to pull down the roller shutters upon seeing them, much to the shock of people walking into the office to pay bills and apply for permits and licences.

Only Datuk Musa and some Umno members were let in, while those left out shouted and banged the shutters.

Penang state executive council member Chow Kon Yeow's special assistant Lai Hon Meng met the group, but Mr Musa demanded to see a MBPP official. The council's security officer Mohd Feroze Md Noor received the memorandum from Mr Musa.

Mr Musa told reporters that Umno demanded an explanation from the council for not giving the party enough time to apply for a permit for their signage.

"They issued us a notice on Friday morning and came to tear it down by afternoon," he said.

After Mr Musa left at 11.30am, a few others who remained went to the ground floor and set fire to two DAP flags and placards with MBPP's emblem by the road outside the Komtar building.

State DAP treasurer Wong Hon Wai condemned the flag-burning, telling Umno members they should have applied for a permit before putting up the signage.

The Penang DAP Socialist Youth (Dapsy) has also lodged a police report over the flag burning.

Penang Dapsy assistant secretary M. Satees urged the police to take swift action as no one was above the law.

"Dapsy condemns this act of criminal intimidation and blatant disrespect towards the law.

"We hope the police can call in the Penang Umno secretary Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir and Penang Umno Youth chief Rafizal Abdul Rahim to facilitate in investigations as they led the protest in Komtar yesterday," Mr Satees told reporters after lodging a police report at the district police headquarters in Patani Road on Wednesday.

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