Catch the culprit who threw Molotov cocktail at CM’s home, says MCA

CCTV footage showing a motorcyclist who is believed to be responsible for hurling a Molotov cocktail into the compound of Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s official residence in George Town last night. – The Malaysian Insider pic, August 31, 2014.

Penang MCA urged the police today to act against those who threw a Molotov cocktail into the compound of Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s official residence in George Town last night.

Its liaison committee, Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, said the party condemned the “act of violence” against its political opponents, adding that it could tarnish the nation’s image and hinder Penang’s aim for progress and prosperity in the state.

“The repeated occurrence of political violence is a major cause of concern, because if it is not addressed, it may easily turn into a political norm,” said Chew, who is also an MCA national vice-president, in a statement.

“Penang MCA urges the police to sieve through the images captured on CCTV and deploy every possible investigation to identify the perpetrators and quickly bring the culprits to justice.”

The Molotov cocktail hit the garden of the chief minister’s bungalow on Jalan Pinhorn about 11.45pm and was tossed over a wall by a motorcyclist.

There were no injuries. It is understood Lim and his family were in the bungalow when the incident happened.

The use of a motorcyclist appears to echo another incident on June 28 when a severed cow's head was left outside the gate of DAP Seri Delima assembly member R.S.N. Rayer's house in Penang by a motorcyclist at 5.58am.

In another incident on January 27, two Molotov cocktails were thrown into the compound of the Church of Assumption at Farquhar Street in George Town about 1.30am

“These days, violence in politics seems to be becoming common. Irrespective of the political agenda behind this crime, we strongly condemn all forms of violence,” said Chew in the statement.

The deputy women, family and community development minister said there was room for dissenting opinions through civilised communications and that the people must not resort to force and threats to silence others.

“People are becoming more prone to acts of revenge to achieve intimidation. Some are even resorting to dirty tricks against their opponents.

“Whether the former or latter, physical assaults are are unacceptable, more so, when Malaysia is celebrating 57 years of Merdeka.”

Penang police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi said last night they found a bottle with kerosene and a wick at the scene.

He said police would focus on reviewing the closed-circuit television monitor recording. He added that there was no damage despite the bottle exploding first and burning away for a while.

A policeman was at the guard post in the compound at the time of the incident but did not see the motorcyclist.

- TMI