The three homemade Mototov cocktails thrown at the Perak DAP premises in Ipoh opposite the Perak state assembly at 2.20 am must be deplored by all political parties, the civil society and all Malaysians.

Although no great harm was done, such contemptible action must be nipped in the bud and not be condoned in any manner by any party or individual as all Malaysians, regardless of race, religion or political belief must demonstrate their democratic credentials and commitment to uphold the system of parliamentary democracy in the country and to peaceful democratic change.

Bernama report on the petrol bomb incident follows:

May 15, 2008 14:42 PM

Perak DAP HQ Damaged By Petrol Bomb This Morning

IPOH, May 15 (Bernama) — The Perak DAP headquarters in Bandar Ipoh Raya here was damaged when two unidentified men hurled a petrol bomb at it early this morning.

The incident, which happened at 2.20am, was witnessed by a security guard, Ammeri Ahmad, 45, who was on duty at a nearby school and who then called the police.

There were no injuries reported as the building was empty and only two windows were damaged, said Ammeri who was on the night shift.

The DAP office is located on the top floor of a two-storey shophouse. On the ground floor is a Indian-Muslim restaurant.

Ammeri said he saw two men throwing something at the windows of the DAP office that caused two loud explosions.

He said when he approached the shophouse the two men took off on a motorcycle.

Meanwhile, Perak DAP chairman, Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham, said the incident appeared to be poltically motivated and called on the police to conduct immediate investigation into the incident.

“It is an attempt to burn the DAP office and is believed to be done by those who have elements of mischief towards the party,” he said when visiting the office.

Ngeh, who is also a senior state executive councillor, said this was the first incident of its type since the formation of the state coalition government after the March general election.

He urged the people to respect the coalition government as it was the people’s choice.