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.