Eggs and coffee thrown at Gerakan service centre

In what is believed to be a tit for tat assault, the state Gerakan’s Pulau Tikus centre was “attacked” by unknown assailants early this morning.

Only three days earlier, the Penang DAP headquarters and three other service centres had been splashed with red paint.

But instead of paint, the unidentified attackers had thrown coffee and eggs at the Gerakan centre, which is run by its state chief Dr Teng Hock Nan (right).

When contacted, Teng was upset and said the act was “politically motivated”.

Although it seems a very small attack, Teng said the meaning or message behind the act was very bad. 

Teng, the former Pulau Tikus assemblyperson, called on both sides of the political divide to “control” their supporters and members.

He added that the responsibility was now in the hands of the leaders who should advise their members and supporters to refrain from these “degrading acts”.

“Political parties from both sides must do their own investigation to see how these acts came about,” Teng told Malaysiakini.

“Do not blame the police because they cannot do much. The responsibility is in the hands of the political parties to curb these actions.”

Teng said while the acts are very degrading, it would also tarnish the political profession. 

At the end of the day, good people would refrain from joining politics, he added.

The former state executive councillor said he would not be lodging a police report as the matter is a “minor issue”.

He also declined to say if he suspected anyone but stressed that the acts have to stop before the situation worsens.

‘Suspicious activity by motorcyclists’

In a related incident around 11pm last night, Komtar assemblyperson Ng Wei Aik was alerted by volunteer security personnel that riders on two motorcycles were seen riding past his service centre in Lorong Seratus Tahun several times.

The security personnel were suspicious about the men on bikes - a Yamaha LC135 and Yamaha ex5, both with no number plates - and monitored their actions, said Ng.

“At about 11.25pm, it seemed like one of the motorcyclists was going to hurl something at the service centre, but he withdrew his hand when the security personnel shouted at him,” said Ng.

“Several of the security personnel tried to get hold of the motorcyclists but lost them after some time - at the intersection between Lebuh MacCullum and Jalan Tun Lim Chong Eu (Jelutong Expressway),” he added. 

Ng, who is also state DAP Youth chief, said he had submitted the information to the Northeast Police district station in Jalan Pattani to help them in their investigation into the previous incidents so that they can trace the suspects.

He added that following last night’s incident, he believed that red paint would continue to be used to attack the DAP’s centres as it now seems like a “political plot”.

“We urge the police to improve their investigation and arrest the culprit(s) who splashed the paint, so that other service centres would not become the next target,” said Ng, who is also political secretary to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

“Even though the attack was not successful last night, I thank the volunteer security corps and other patrol groups who are concerned about such happenings,” he added.