GEORGE TOWN: Gerakan wants the Penang caretaker government, the Penang Island City Council (MBPP), the Election Commission (EC) and the District Land Office to explain the recent appearance of large red billboards at various locations in the state.
These red billboards display the words "Malaysia Madani" along with a portrait of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim
State Gerakan social media team leader Andrew Ooi Ghee Oon asked which organisation had erected these billboards.
He said, in Pulau Jerejak alone, there were 19 such billboards.
"How many of these billboards have been installed in the state? Have all of them received official approval for installation?
"Was the usage of (Datuk Seri) Anwar's portrait on the billboards authorised by him? Does he even know that the billboards, featuring his portrait, are now visible all over Penang? Or was this done under his own instruction?
"Back in April, (Datuk Seri) Anwar had expressed his disapproval of the 'Malaysia Madani' and his portrait being used on billboards, stating that the funds used for such billboards could be utilised in better ways. He had also mentioned that these billboards erected nationwide were done without his authorisation.
"At that time, he had called for an end to the installation of such billboards to demonstrate the unity of the government. What we have now goes against his previous statements and instructions," he said today.
Therefore, Ooi said the Penang caretaker government, the MBPP, the EC and the District and Land Office had a responsibility to clarify the situation regarding these billboards.
He said the intention seemed to be a strategic move by the ruling party to secure prime locations for promotional billboards before nomination day on July 29.
He said, after nomination day, these billboards could be replaced with campaign materials for various candidates in the respective areas, leaving the opposition with fewer strategic spots for their own propaganda.
"If these billboards are intended for the upcoming state election propaganda, they should not have been displayed before the official nomination day.
"And even if they are campaign billboards, they should have provided information about the responsible and producing entities, as it is evident that they have violated election regulations.
"Gerakan believes that if these billboards are put up without the consent of the individual depicted on them, the MBPP's enforcement unit should take immediate action to remove them.
"Gerakan will also lodge a complaint and protest with the EC regarding this matter," he added.