Removal of opposition flags draws flak

The Seremban Municipal Council has come under fire for only targeting PAS, PKR and DAP flags while turning a blind eye to BN and Umno flags.

SEREMBAN: Negeri Sembilan PAS Youth has warned the Seremban Municipal Council (MPS) to act fairly and not become the agent of Umno and Barisan Nasional.

Negeri Sembilan PAS Youth chief Mohd Khairil Anuar Wafa in a joint press conference with PKR and DAP here issued the warning after MPS enforcement officers brought down Pakatan Rakyat component parties’ flags, banners and buntings for the past one month.

“What irked us is that MPS enforcement officers only brought down PAS, PKR and DAP flags or banners but didn’t touch the Umno and BN flags.

“If MPS wants to bring down our flags and banners then bring down the Umno and BN flags and banners as well. Why the double standard?” he asked.

Khairil said this was not only happening in Seremban but other districts as well.

“Recently my men bumped into a few enforcement officers from the Kuala Pilah District Council who were bringing down our party flags in Johol.

“They were doing this at 2am [after work hours] and not in their uniforms. When my men questioned them, they only identified themselves as enforcement officers.

“If MPS and the other district councils keep doing this, PAS Youth will not hesitate to bring down the Umno and BN flags and banners,” he added.

Meanwhile, Seremban PKR deputy chief Dr Mohamad Rafie Abdul Malek said on Sept 14, MPS enforcement officers brought down PKR, PAS and DAP flags in the housing areas of Taman Bukti, Taman Tok Wan and Gedung Lalang 162 around 2am.

“However the officers let the Umno and BN flags remain. PKR, PAS and DAP are registered entities like Umno,” he added.

Also present at the press conference were Bukit Kepayang state assemblyman Cha Kee Chin (DAP) and Rasah PKR deputy chief R Tangam.

Contacted by FMT this morning, MPS president Abdul Halim Abdul Latif said: “I don’t want to comment, I’m sorry.”