Penang says ‘No to ISA’ on billboards
(Malaysian Mirror) – Penang does not want the Internal Security Act. The state is making this stand in large billboards that it plans to erect in strategic locations throughout Penang.
The first was hoisted aptly opposite the state legislative assembly building in Light Street here on Saturday, apparently to remind the state’s lawmakers that the ISA is one legislation that Penangites can do without.
In Malay and three other languagss
The billboard, with an image of the Penang Bridge in the backdrop, proclaims boldly in Malay “Tak Nak!” and a circle slashi
ng the words ‘ISA”.
The state-sponsored advertisement has also the Chinese and Tamil versions of the slogan as well as the declaration in English, “No to ISA!”
The anti-ISA stance had been taken in the run up to last year’s general elections by the former opposition parties DAP, PKR and PAS and had greatly helped them to topple the then Barisan Nasional government in Penang.
Signboard approved by district office
Contractors set up the signboard measuring 2.4m by 4.8m at the public car park operated by the Penang Municipal Council, across the state assembly building, on Saturday morning.
Press secretary to the Chief Minister, Cheong Yin Fan, said the cost of printing and installing the signboard, complete with spotlight, was less than RM2,000.
However, the spotlight has yet to be installed due to technical glitches, he told The Star.
He said the signboard was approved by the Penang Island North-East district office and would remain at the location until the next general election
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had announced on Oct 1 that his administration was putting up such signboards in a move to oppose the ISA, following suggestions by a group of bloggers who approached him after the Permatang Pasir by-election last month.
