DBKK orders SAPP's signboard to be down

DBKK wants signboard down containing 'forbidden word

KOTA KINABALU, July 11, 2011: A tense 90-minute standoff between city hall enforcers and Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) leaders over a signboard ended with police mediation.

SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee and dozens of his party supporters refused to allow Kota Kinabalu City Hall enforcement officers to remove the signboard bearing the words "bersih, benar, berani" to introduce their internet television and radio link.



The city hall issued a notice for the immediate removal of signboard at about 2.30pm and called in the Bomba to assist in using their ladder to reach the sign board on the second floor of three storey SAPP headquarters in Luyang at about 3.30pm.

This saw Yong fly into a rage and demanded from the firemen where was the fire for them come in. He accused them of abusing their powers.

The firemen in one fire truck immediately left as SAPP party men refused to allow city hall enforcement officers to remove the sign board with tensions continuing among party men and enforcers.

However, just before 5pm, Kota Kinabalu City police chief Asst Comm Ahmad Sofi Zakaria arrived and mediated between Yong and city hall's legal officer Sharul Izan.

Yong demanded that city hall give the standard two-week notice under the laws of natural justice for the removal of the signboard and the action for immediate removal was unfair and an abuse of power.

Sharul, however, argued that the signboard was illegal and may not be safe for the public and they were enpowered to remove it with or without notice.

However, Sharul later agreed to issue a fresh two-week notice to remove the signboard.

With Sofi as witness over the assurance of two-weeks notice, the situation cooled off.

Yong later told reporters that the move to immediately remove the signboard on a one-hour notice and call in the Bomba was an abuse and said that his party would look at the option legal redress once the notice is served.

On Saturday, city hall tried to remove the signboard but backoff after a similar standoff.