Penang’s Komtar building sees no end to controversy. After the protest by traders not being allowed to operate at the Bazar Ramadan, today a Chinese businessman tried to set himself aflame.

NONE Teoh Bak Seng, 53, doused himself with petrol and attempted to set himself on fire because his business in Komtar has suffered a major loss which he blames on the building’s management.

Teoh, who owns the Seng Mugs coffee shop at level two, said his accounts have been in the red since the administration imposed tighter security measures in the building, which houses the state secretariat offices.

“I have been running my business here for 30 years, but since most of the entrances to Komtar have been closed, especially on level 2, I am losing my customers,” he said.

The commotion started at about 3pm in front of the Maybank outlet on the ground floor, where a security counter was located.

NONE In front of a crowd that was fast gathering to witness the act, Teoh took out a bottle of petrol and started to douse himself.        

He was stopped by the police before he could complete his act, and brought to the Komtar police station on the 4th floor of the building, crying “let me die” as they dragged him away.

The police have recorded his particulars and sent him to the General Hospital, where he was screened and found to be ‘unstable’.

Komtar’s woes followed a minor attack on Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng last week from a senior citizen who criticised him for being 'anti-Malay'.

Security at the building has been tightened since the incident, where the man who claimed he was from Tanjong Tokong village accused Lim of being responsible for the Malay community’s problems in the area.

Lim had declined to comment on the matter.