Penang DAP headquarters vandalised again

Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng (right) and MBPP councillor from DAP Ong Ah Teong along with other DAP members at the Penang DAP headquarters on Jalan Rangoon. The premises were splashed with red paint in an act of vandalism, one of several that have been targeted at the party. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, June 22, 2015.The Penang DAP headquarters was splashed with red paint last night, some 48 hours after a similar act of vandalism on Saturday.

Northeast district police chief Assistant Commissioner Mior Faridalathrash Wahid said the second incident at the DAP premises on Jalan Rangoon was discovered at 10.50pm by the party's staff Lim Huat Poh, 46.

He said that Lim had lodged a police report at 12.42am this morning at the Jalan Patani police station.

"Closed circuit television (CCTV) recording showed two men arriving at the scene on motorcycle. The suspect’s identities and their vehicle's registration and make could not be determined from the footage.

"The complainant said he did not have any suspects in mind.

"Probes at the scene revealed that paint was splashed on the shutters of the premises. No container with paint was found at the scene," he said.

Mior said the case was being probed under Section 427 of the Penal Code for committing mischief and causing damage to the amount of RM25 and above.

The offence carries a jail term that may extend to two years, a fine or both.

This is the fourth incident of vandalism on a DAP office in Penang since last Saturday when the same state party headquarters and the Jalan Talipon service centre of Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng were splashed with black paint.

Yesterday morning, Penang DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow found the shutters of his service centre on Jalan Kedah partially torched.

Chow told pressmen yesterday that he had strong reason to believe it was an act of retaliation by certain quarters over a recent enforcement action by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP).

It was reported last Friday that MBPP tried to remove a red signage bearing the word “Umno” from the entrance of the Umno building on Jalan Macalister.

The signage was said to be occupying part of a nearby water pipe reserve.

The enforcement action reportedly angered the party, with state chief Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Osman saying that no prior notice was sent by the council and that the episode was an attempt by the DAP-led state to attack Umno.

He said they would keep the signage where it was and submit the necessary applications to the council.

Chow, who is the local government exco in charge of the local councils, said the law applied to everyone and the local council's job was to make sure everyone followed the rules and regulations of the local authorities.

"Umno does not enjoy immunity (from the law). It is also not true that the council did not send them prior notice," Chow said, adding that the party hoped the acts of vandalism would be stopped

The incident at Chow's office is being probed under Section 435 of the Penal Code for committing mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to cause damage to amount of RM50, an offence punishable by up to seven years’ jail and a fine.