Penang CM, slammed for illegal parking, says driver was in the car

PETALING JAYA - Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng found himself the target of criticism when a photo of his official car parked illegally along Lebuh Campbell was uploaded on Facebook.

The photograph shows the silver Mercedes Benz with the registration PG1 parked along the lane, close to a clamping zone sign.

Facebook user Tan Khai Beng, who uploaded the photo, stated that it had been taken on Aug 12 at about 4.10pm.

He claimed Lim had been there to meet Himpunan Hijau chairman Wong Tack.

However, Lim said Tuesday that he was at a coffeeshop meeting several journalists and a guest from Hong Kong.

He said that the driver was in the car at that time but, if “unlucky” was liable to be fined like anyone else.

“I have advised him that it is not right to park illegally,” he said adding that parking was hard to come by on that busy street.

Meanwhile, several users “liked” the posting and shared it, while some others also posted comments referring to Lim as a ‘tokong’ (deity).

A few users also urged the police to issue a traffic offence summons to Lim.

User Mohd Noordin said “CM is not above the laws...he must follow the laws and don’t behave like samseng.”

On the Facebook page Big News in Penang, however, users defended the Bagan MP while slamming those who posted unkind remarks.

Tze Kye Brian Choo said it was indeed wrong for Lim or his driver to park there, but questioned whether anyone could verify if the driver was in the car at the time.

“If somebody can prove the car was parked the whole day, it may help clear the air, otherwise you are making a fool of yourself,” he commented.

Some netizens took a different view, suggesting that the car may not have been parked, but was inching its way through traffic.

The Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) had since June 2011 introduced clamping zones at several locations in George Town to discourage illegal parking and prevent traffic obstruction.