GEORGE TOWN, May 21 — The Penang legislative assembly has approved a motion to condemn the violent intrusion by a group of Umno members who breached the gates of the august House this afternoon.
The motion, tabled by state executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow (DAP – Padang Kota), accused the group of causing havoc, destroying House property and threatening the safety of state assemblymen, officials and all those in the vicinity at the time.
“The state assembly demands that the Penang police chief and all relevant security personnel investigate the violent incident and to take action against those who had behaved violently so that the dignity of the hall is protected,” Chow said when reading out the four-point motion.
“The state assembly views this seriously as the actions had insulted the dignity of the hall while there were also attempts to destroy the Malaysian and state flags which is also another insult against the hall,” he said.
The motion also recorded the state assembly’s regret over the incident, describing it as a dark moment in Malaysia’s democratic system.
After a two-hour debate, the state assembly approved the motion with 25 votes from Pakatan Rakyat (PR) state lawmakers. Barisan Nasional (BN) assemblymen refrained from voting.
Earlier, a group of Umno members led by Jelutong Umno Youth chief Jasmin Nordin staged a protest outside the state assembly premises.
The rowdy crowd pushed against the gates and managed to breach it, with some among the group slipping into the premises.
About six of those who made it into the building then stormed into the hall and started shouting for state assemblyman RSN Rayer (DAP – Seri Delima) who was not present at the time.
The group was protesting against Rayer for using the words “celaka Umno” during his debate of the Penang Governor’s speech at the legislative assembly yesterday.
When debating the motion against the intrusion, Ong Chin Wen (PKR – Bukit Tengah) said he was present when the group stormed into the hall and demanded to know why the police had not stopped them.
“When they came in, they immediately started shouting to know where Rayer sits and Rayer’s place is next to mine so imagine how I felt,” he said.
He said if the group was dissatisfied with what Rayer had said, they should have asked their BN representatives to submit a motion for Rayer to be referred to the Rights and Privileges Committee.
“There is no need at all for them to force their way inside and this incident is regrettable,” he said.
