Penang Island City Council public dialogue turns ugly

GEORGE TOWN: A Penang Island City Council public dialogue today on beautifying back lanes in the island turned ugly after a participant screamed at Council officials.

Taxi driver Lim Eng Chew scolded the Council over the proposal as he felt public safety was not considered as the issue was of illegal parking.

He claimed lorries and other vehicles parked haphazardly in those areas hampered fire engines from reaching fires sites on several occasions at Lebuh Hong Kong where he stayed for two decades.

"Was the Fire Department consulted on this? Where are they? Why are they not here?" he asked in Hokkien during the dialogue where some 50 persons attended.

Lim continued his rant for some 10 minutes while Council Secretary Yew Tung Seang could not explain over the shouting.

Council officers later escorted him out but he continued yelling.

Yew said he will note the concerns raised by Lim as well as others including Lim Choy Heng, a sales manager for a food factory, who said the back lane was used to load and unload goods.

"I feel the upgrading is fine as long as our businesses is not affected," she said.

Lebuh Kimberly resident Ooi Meng Choo meanwhile urged the Council to choose another area to upgrade as the lane was currently used by her family to park their cars and the upgrading will inconvenience.

The back lanes the Council is proposing to upgrade are located behind Jalan Magazine, Jalan Gurdwara, Jalan Cheong Fatt Tze, Jalan Dr. Lim Chwee Leong and Lebuh Tamil.

Works proposed to be carried out including road repairs, planting flowers and upgrading lights and signages to fit the concepts of a garden, a cafe or a space for relaxation.