Umno supporters burn flag over illegal structure incident

GEORGE TOWN: A move by Penang Umno secretary Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir to submit a memorandum to the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) over an attempt to remove a structure with the Umno logo turned ugly when a group began burning a replica of the DAP flag.
The drama unfolded when a group of about 50 people began to gather at the ground floor of Komtar, the state’s administrative centre.
They chanted “Hidup Umno!” (Long live Umno) and cheered and clapped when Musa arrived with the memorandum before all of them made their way to the entrance on the third floor.
However, when security guards pulled down the rolling shutters, the angry group shouted and banged on the shutters and doors, asking them to allow Musa to hand over the momorandum to the authority.
Musa and a few others were allowed in after discussions with the security guards.
Inside, Musa insisted he wanted Mayor Datuk Patahiyah Ismail to receive the memorandum but she was at a meeting. They were approached by Lai Hon Meng, an aide to state Local Government Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow, but Musa refused to deal with him.
Finally Musa relented and handed the memorandum to council security guard Mohd Feroze Mohd Noor after the latter assured him the matter will be brought to the attention of Patahiyah.
In an ad-hoc press conference, Musa claimed the council did not given the party time to remove the structure which is outside Menara Umno at Jalan Macalister here.
He said the party has since submitted an appeal asking the council not to remove the structure while they applied for a permit.
“The state government has practiced double standards,” he said.
A council enforcement team had tried to remove the structure on Friday but was prevented from doing so by a group.
Meanwhile, the council has defended its action.
Councilor Ong Ah Teong said the action taken was in line with the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974.
He said Penang Umno should have obtained a written approval from the council prior to installing the structure at the sidewalk of Menara Umno.
Ong said the state party chapter failed to do so and as such should not criticise the council for carrying out its duties adding that any action taken was according to the law.