Bricks hurled at Gerakan office, glass door damaged

The Penang Gerakan headquarters in Jalan Macalister had been attacked by an unknown man, where a thrown brick punched a big hole in the glass door.

The incident took place about 12.15pm, when Gerakan leaders and several staff were around to hand over RM500 BR1M allowances to about five recipients.

"We were shocked when we heard a loud noise. Two bricks were thrown - one hit the door and the other got to our glass door," said state Gerakan Publicity, Information and Communications chief Thor Theong Ghee (right). 

"He was very bold, and even came into our reception area and sat for about one minute. Our staff managed to take photos of his act, and his vehicle number. We have lodged a police report," he added.

Thor condemned the act, saying that the unidentified man's motive was unknown, although public perception would link the incident to politics.

"We urge our members to stay calm and not react. Leave the matter to the police to investigate," he added, saying he is not able to ascertain the cost of damages as yet.

During a press conference today, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng condemned the act, saying that such violence is not "our political culture".

"It is not a healthy political culture. There have been many such incidents of violence these days," said Lim.

"Police, too, have not taken any action against the perpetrators although they had happened in front of their eyes. 

"These acts are done by irresponsible quarters," he added, referring to a group of NGO representatives who tried to break into the state government offices at Komtar level 3.

He also condemned last night's incident where a group of NGO representatives hurled abuses at PKR vice-president Tian Chua and acted roughly against the vehicle carrying him away from a dinner function organised by state PKR at the Penang Chinese Town Hall along Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling last night.

Police nabbed one protester for allegedly trying to obstruct police from performing their duty, adding that the illegal assembly would be probed under Section 91 of the Peaceful Assembly Act.