Police report lodged against anti-Penang flyers

Penang PKR Youth has lodged a police report over a flyer denigrating the state government, which the wing claimed appear destined to be distributed during the National Aidilfitri open house in Permatang Pauh tomorrow.

The report, lodged at the Bukit Mertajam police headquarters, was received by constable Rozanna Othman just after noon yesterday.

Youth chief Amir MD Ghazali (left) said copies resembling the flyer titled '30 dasar kerajaan berjiwa rakyat' (30 policies of a people orientated government) were handed over to him by a friend in Kubang Semang yesterday.

Amir added the duplicate copies, which look identical to the originals contained "slander and allegations" against the state government.

He expressed concern that the pamphlets will be distributed at the open house do, which will be attended by Prime Minister Najib Razak.

"I lodged a report to ask the police to investigate the matter as many of the state executive members will attending the event as well," he added.

The flyers are official promotional documents published by the state government under Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to counter the lack of media coverage on current policies and practices.

But instead of its slogan 'empower the people, enriching the people', the modified flyer carried a slogan screaming 'Weakening the people, lying to the people'.

Expertly done deception work

However, the flyers look strikingly similar due to the design, background colour and images used on the two-sided paper.

Lim's administration has been the target of a lot of flak from Umno and Malay NGOs which have accused the state government of marginalisng the community.

Several demonstrations have been held around Komtar - the state's administrative building - to protest Lim's leadership, which he assumed after the Pakatan seized power from the Gerakan led government in March 2008.

National news agency Bernama reported yesterday that Najib will grace the function with his wife, Rosmah Mansor.

Information Communication and Culture Minister Rais Yatim and his wife Maznah Rais will also be present at the function which is expected to attract some 10,000 people.

Meanwhile, Permatang Pauh MP and Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has encouraged the public to attend the occasion but has expressed some reservations about the real motive behind organising the event in his constituency.

Amir urged the police to prevent those intent on distributing the flyers at the occasion on Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's home turf.

"Whatever attempt to distribute these flyers must be halted at once as the event in Permatang Pauh is a government event and not an Umno do," said Amir.