MCA tunnel forum guests to be greeted by giant rocket

Those attending the Penang undersea project tunnel forum tomorrow night in Bagan, Butterworth organised by the MCA will instead be greeted by a mock-up of a giant rocket (above, file picture), the DAP's party symbol, outside the venue.

DAP supporters today raised the structure at the venue of the forum which will be chaired by MCA deputy chief Wee Ka Siong.

Dubbed “Political talks on Penang's truth”, the programme will be held at the Tan Si Eng Chuan Tong Association at 7.30 pm.

According to posters, other than Wee, the forum speakers are MCA state chairperson cum Penang Port Commission Tan Teik Cheng and the party's state organising secretary Dr Tan Chuan Hong.

The 40ft structure earlier raised some concerns as certain quarters claimed it was illegal and its owner had not obtained permission from the local council, Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP).

It is learnt that the rocket was supposed to be used at Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's service centre in Bagan but the plan was shelved when a permit could not be obtained.

When contacted, MPSP president Rozali Mahmud said the owner of the structure had then applied for a temporary license for the forum venue and this had been approved by the council.

"They are allowed to put it up at the designated venue for a month until the general election is over," Rozali told Malaysiakini.

Malaysiakini was shown the approval letter from MPSP issued to the DAP Mak Mandin branch.

'Unconfirmed' guests

The branch had to fork out RM1,020 for the structure plus take out public protection insurance for it.

"You are not allowed to carry out any activity which may cause disturbance to the public and if you do not comply with the rules, the permit will be cancelled and action taken against you," the letter, signed by Norhanis Nordin, MPSP's building director, said.

Wee had been urging Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to debate him over the issue of the undersea tunnel project which is currently subject of a major probe by the MACC with more than 100 people queried and five high-ranking officials arrested.

However, Lim has refused to debate Wee saying the BN minister is merely the number two in MCA.

The CM has instead challenged MCA president Liow Tiong Lai to a debate as both are top leaders in their respective parties though the latter has not indicated any interest to do so.

MCA has been fervently promoting its forum in Bagan via their social media accounts and tickled the public when the announcements said it would be attended by "special guests (unconfirmed)” taken to mean Lim and his father DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang. -Mkini