DAP says that BN’s mere condemnation of the tearing down of the Christmas banner by Perkasa was not enough, urging the Home Minister to act against the protester who had broken the law.

After the government’s verbal criticism of the incident, DAP wants BN to go one step further take action against the Perkasa protestor who tore down a Christmas banner at the Perak DAP headquarters.

According to DAP Perak Economic Development Bureau Chief Chong Zhemin, Home Minister Zahid Hamidi was just stating the obvious when the latter merely said that it was wrong for the Perkasa man to have done so.

The incident occurred during a protest by a Perkasa mob outside the Perak DAP headquarters. Demonstrators were outraged at Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng for stating that non-Muslims were allowed to use the word ‘Allah’.

During protest, one man stepped closer to the building, with the group chanting “Alahu Akhbar!” (God is great!) and ripped of the DAP Christmas banner pinned to the building, he also tried to manhandle Tebing Tinggi Assemblyman Ong Boon Piow, but was pulled back by police present.

Commenting on the demonstration, Zahid Hamidi said that all faiths should be respected.

“We should respect other faiths. I have been consistent in my view that if we want our religion to be respected, we must also respect others,” he said.

However, Chong demanded that more be done instead of just plain criticisms.

“Zahid is telling the obvious when he say it is wrong for Perkasa man to rip a Christmas banner. What Malaysians want to know is why is there no action taken by the police after more than 48 hours of the Perkasa Christmas banner ripping?” he asked.

Zahid had also said that his “hands were tied” unless DAP decided to lodge a police report of the incident. However, Chong claimed that DAP Perak Chairman Nga Kor Ming has sent the video recordings and photos of the incident to Acting Perak police chief Deputy Communications Datuk A. Paramasivam and Ipoh Police Chief ASP Sum Chang Keong last Friday. The video is also available for public viewing on news tube Kinitiv.

Chong asked if Zahid would issue the same statement were a Hari Raya banner torn down in front of the UMNO headquarters.

“I have no doubt that if the opposite happen, the culprit would be arrested immediately on the spot,”
“Zahid can talk the talk, but can he walk the talk by instructing the IGP to immediately arrest the culprit that have rip the banner?” he said.

Chong added that the act of ripping off the Christmas banner as done by the Perkasa protester is an offence under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 and The Penal Code.

“With strong and sufficient evidence, there is absolutely no excuse for the police inaction against the culprits who have violated the law and cross the red line by ripping a Christmas banner just 6 days before the Christmas,” he said. -The Rocket