In conjunction with the celebration of the Year of the Rooster, Penang was having a busy traffic routine over the past 10 days due to the returning of Penang locals and the incoming of visitors from both outstations and overseas. The Penang Island City Council (MPPP) enforcement team was having an ‘all-out’ duty roster to ensure the traffic in Penang does not fall beyond control simply due to inconsiderate parking.

The city council has issued a total of 3,590 notices to drivers who parked illegally since Chinese New Year eve until the 9th of the Chinese Lunar calendar, where it is also known as Hokkien New Year. Twenty-five vehicles were clamped and 107 cars were towed.

These numbers reflect that the accusation by Gerakan leader over the incompetence of MBPP enforcement is untrue. The enforcers practice “educational warning comes before enforcement” throughout the festival celebration, or else the number of ticket may have doubled.

According to Gerakan, 99 percent out of 400 respondents objected to the Penang Hot Air Balloon fiesta as they are concerned about the traffic disaster which may occur during the said programme. However, the turnout rate of people visiting the hot air balloon fiesta has shown that the support rate is much higher than what was shown in the survey carried out by MCA and Gerakan.

I have doubts about the so-called 400 respondents survey, when the Penang Hospital itself has 5,000 registered staff members. Who are the 400 respondents? Why didn’t the survey include all hospital staffers?

The city council enforcement team committed its full focus towards the Penang Hot Air Balloon fiesta. They will take immediate action once any inconsiderate illegal parking vehicle is found. This is to ensure the ambulance access and hospital entrance are not blocked.

On the other hand, security guards have been engaged by Penang Hospital to look after the hospital compound as MBPP enforcers have no right to take control or carry out enforcement within hospital compound.

The Pakatan Harapan Penang state government and local government practice understanding among all Penangites especially during seasonal festivals. The MBPP enforcement team will only focus on ‘inconsiderate’ illegal parking whch has blocked the road access or caused unnecessary traffic jams.

As an example, the Gerakan party was having their CNY open house last Sunday, and set up traffic cones at Macalister Road, used a lane for their guests to park illegally (as shown in photos). Despite they being the political opposition in Penang, the city council applied the same understanding and tolerance without taking action.

This is due to the traffic flow at that time was not congested, hence equal tolerance was given to all parties who celebrate the seasonal festival. This shows the real democracy practised by DAP and Pakatan Harapan. However, it should not be used as a precedent case.

Under the Pakatan Harapan governance, the Penang state government keeps improving, bringing Penang to the next level, as well as boosting the tourism industry which benefits most of the local business operators. Besides, by having a democratic and open-minded policy implemented, we can reach a stage where the traffic offences during seasonal festivals could be handled using a balance between legal principles and common sense.

Gerakan should learn from the ‘people-first’ Pakatan Harapan Penang state government.

WONG YUEE HARNG is Penang DAP Socialist Youth (Dapsy) publicity secretary and a councillor of the Penang Island City Council.