By Yoges Palaniappan | The Malaysian Insider
GEORGE TOWN, August 3 — Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the man who harassed him in Komtar yesterday “appeared confused and needed help”.
Relating the incident, Lim said he was approached by a man in his 60s in the drivers’ room at the building’s second floor last night.
“We were talking as usual when he suddenly raised his voice and then he rapped hard on my shoulder,” he told reporters at a press conference in his office.
“When I asked him why he did that, he accused me of implementing anti-Malay policies. He said the state government had chased village folks out of Kampung Tanjung Tokong,” he said.
“I sat him down and explained to him that the development in the village was not brought by us [state government], but UDA as a federal government project. He then appeared very confused and hit the sofa angrily many, many times,” he added.
In September last year, the Urban Development Authority had announced plans to build low and medium-cost flats, apartments, condominiums and commercial buildings with a sale value of between RM800mil and RM1bil at the village.
Lim today said although the incident was “an unfortunate matter, it should not be played [up]again and again”.
He said that he did not intend to press charges against the man, but Penang chief police officer thought an investigation was crucial because it involved a chief minister.
“In the meantime, we must change our modus operandi. Although we’re a people-friendly government, we need to change because of a few confused individuals,” he said,
“The state government needed to work out ways on how the public could approach us,” he added.
Lim said the incident also did not look good on the credibility of the police force in providing security in the building.
“The man was waiting in the drivers’ room. It cannot be permitted. Drivers’ room is only for drivers,” he said, adding that the security in Komtar would definitely be tightened in the next few days.
Lim said he was leaving the matter to the police and did not want any unwanted speculation over the incident.
#1 by monsterball on Tuesday, 3 August 2010 - 1:28 pm
I hope UMNO B is proud of the confusion.
From the report it sounds like LGE was calm and composed.
Security guards are mostly for show and not effective every where….when you need them most.
It always need an incident to wake up and not having total plans with experiences..to protect.
At least one more voter understands it was UMNO”s UDA and not LGE that made the decisions and you can bet…if going into details…somebody in UMNO B made huge millions.
UMNO B fellas are famous for making commissions.
#2 by frankyapp on Tuesday, 3 August 2010 - 1:34 pm
I suggest CM LGA needs to have a body guard in view of this incident. Though I know he’s a simple and humble person,but some thing during official function or duty,it’s best he’s conscious of his own safety as unforseen and unfortunate cases have happened. Remember prevention is better than cure.
#3 by frankyapp on Tuesday, 3 August 2010 - 1:35 pm
My apology,it should read CM LGE.
#4 by boh-liao on Tuesday, 3 August 2010 - 1:40 pm
What security in M’sia we talk abt? Always full of leaking holes
Just wave a badge (esp 1 with UmnoB or polis logo) or confidently claim 2 b a Dato’, OK lah
Jalan terus
Bottom line: B confident when U con, open sesame
LGE shld thank his lucky star dat nothing untoward happened 2 him
Next time, if there is 1, he may not b so lucky
#5 by JJx on Tuesday, 3 August 2010 - 1:49 pm
sigh …. all also want this contract and that contract.
#6 by sheriff singh on Tuesday, 3 August 2010 - 2:10 pm
According to Muhyiddin, Najib and BN, the Opposition always tell lies while the BN always tell the truth.
But when it is made known that it is the BN that is telling the lies and the Opposition is telling the truth, many brainwashed people just can’t handle it.
It becomes unthinkable, unimaginable to them.
That’s why they become confused and go ga-ga.
#7 by monsterball on Tuesday, 3 August 2010 - 2:24 pm
hahahahahaha ….sheriff singh and they dance to Lady Gaga songs too..in the streets..in the toilets….and in back lanes…becoming drug addicts…useless living deaths Malaysians and yet UMNO B blame others…when they are in control for 55 years.
#8 by monsterball on Tuesday, 3 August 2010 - 2:29 pm
And we have one here right now…don’t we…sheriff singh….who is FOR change and now MAYBE….but not AGAINST…yet can be AGAINST change at last moment.
Sure sign of going gaga.
#9 by k1980 on Tuesday, 3 August 2010 - 4:09 pm
//He said the state government had chased village folks out of Kampung Tanjung Tokong//
The development in the village started years ago under the then BN state govt. Maybe that confused old man thinks that Penang is still under Gerakan rule.
#10 by Dap man on Tuesday, 3 August 2010 - 4:24 pm
I am sure this guy is from UMNO. I am also sure he was instigated by UMNO and Utusan will play up the story tomorrow and claim the CM is racist.
Later the PM and DPM and also the State Secretary will defend him. The police will justify his actions and NFI the case.
To shout at a police one woman was recently brought to court. To hit a CM is NFI.
This is Malaysia, the country with 2 laws.
Just you wait.
#11 by Dap man on Tuesday, 3 August 2010 - 4:29 pm
“I suggest CM LGE needs to have a body guard” frankyapp
Because UMNO, Utusan and Berita Harian have been fanning the racial fire – pitting the CM as anti-Malay and racist.
And there are gullible Malays in the kampongs who swallow lock, stock and barrel what they say.
The instigators are UMNO, Utusan and Berita.
This is Najib’s version of 1 Malaysia.
#12 by boh-liao on Tuesday, 3 August 2010 - 7:07 pm
LGE may b ISAed again 4 his own good n safety, far fr d madding crowd
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIEAhAfSzWQ
#13 by cemerlang on Thursday, 5 August 2010 - 6:29 am
It was good that CM Lim had calmed him down. This man wanted to get some straight answers which he cannot get anywhere else. Yes. He needs professional counseling, psychology care and probably even some advise from the psychiatrist. This man is one out of the many confused Malaysians walking around but do not personally disturb anyone.