Fire at DAP HQ, leaders cry arson

First it was splashed with red paint, and now a fire breaks out at the Penang DAP headquarters. The party's state chief believes that those with political motives are behind the attacks.

PETALING JAYA: A fire broke out at the Penan
g DAP headquarters this morning, four days after the premises was splashed with red paint.

A stack of newspapers placed outside the building was razed in what is believed to be an arson attack on the office in Jalan Talipon which is located in a residential area.

“I have nothing but words of condemnation against those who have perpetrated such a dangerous, violent and shameful act,” said state party chief Chow Kon Yeow, adding that it could have endangered the lives of those living next door.

“Our headquarters is neither a bungalow nor a tower; we are joined with houses of the people.

“This reckless attempt at burning down our office could have endangered the lives of others living in adjacent units. If not for the quick-thinking and resourceful neighbours we have, this fire could have had worse consequences,” he added.

Chow said in view of recent incidents, he believed that the arson attack was part of a coordinated act by those with political motives.

Related to ban?

The arson attack, according to the twitter postings by several DAP leaders, could be related to the decision in Penang to bar the use of loudspeakers for reciting verses from the Quran before dawn prayers.
The ban was played up by certain quarters to portray DAP as stifling the rights of Muslims.

Penang mufti Hassan Ahmad however clarified that the decision was made by the state religious authorities, and not the state government.

Chow also urged parties dissatisfied with decisions made by the Penang government to air it via proper channels instead of resorting to violent means.

“We are ready to engage citizens who have genuine concerns, we are open to criticism, and we are ready to provide answers to the questions that have been asked of us,” he said.

He also urged the police to investigate the attacks on the DAP headquarters.

“The longer the police delay action, the more it will look like hate crimes against DAP are permitted,” he said.