Shopowner Teoh Bak Seng’s attempted suicide at Komtar yesterday has prompted Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to look into the problems of traders operating in the building.

Lim has directed state secretary Zainal Rahim Seman to review the new security procedures toward relaxing these without compromising safety.

The shopowner ha NONE d blamed a drop in business on the measures implemented following an incident in the VIP car park on Aug 2. Lim had been rapped on the shoulder by a man who was not authorised to be there.

Deputy state secretary Muhammad Yusoff Wazir said the review will look into complaints by Komtar traders that the closure of the five entrances to the building from the second-floor VIP car park has affected business.

If found to be true, measures will be considered to alleviate the situation, he said in a statement.

He said Zainal NONE will consult with various sectors before submitting his findings and discussing these with Lim (left) .

“Following the incident at the VIP car park  ... the state government was advised by the state chief police officer to tighten security procedures,” said Muhammad Yusoff.

“These measures were supported by the police and the fire (and rescue) services department at a meeting on Aug 9.”

During the meeting, he said, the fire and rescue services department said the five entrances are not emergency exits and therefore, it had no objections to their closure.

However, the two representatives of the Komtar Merchant Association (KMA) at the meeting were unhappy with the arrangements.

“The state secretary’s office understands the unhappiness of Komtar traders over the new security arrangements and the inconvenience caused,” Muhammad Yusoff said.

“However consideration also has to be given to negative comments by government officers and visitors about unknown and unidentified persons and foreign workers moving about freely in the VIP car park.”

'Revival of Komtar’

Muhammad Yusoff said Pakatan Rakyat has worked hard to revive Komtar since coming to power in the state in March 2008.

Firstly, it aborted the previous state government’s decision to relocate the state administration offices out of the building.

Secondly, it has been successful in attracting new anchor tenants at the Pacific supermarket and the ICT Mall - Penang’s first one-stop centre for computers and electronic equipment - which is set to open in October.

“These measures have helped to bring back both life and the crowds to Komtar and improved business for all,” said Muhammad Yusoff.

The chief minister, meanwhile, has contacted the Penang health director to express concern for Teoh, 63, who was admitted to the Penang Hospital yesterday.

“The Penang government is willing to assist Teoh with his problems, including his unhappiness over the closure of the five entrances,” said Muhammad Yusoff.

In another devel NONE opment, PDC general manager Rosli Jaafar said he had held a meeting with about 15 traders in Komtar yesterday. They were accompanied by Mohamed Ghani Abdul Jiman (right) , the coordinator of the Ramadan bazaar in the building.

Rosli said they were told that the PDC had never tried to prevent the bazaar from operating as claimed during a protest by some traders.

He maintained that the main problem was related to payment of rental for the stalls - the money had been collected by KMA but had not been remitted to the PDC in time.

“We have informed the KMA that it has to comply with the regulations, but until now, it has complied with our request,” he said.

“We do not want to see the Ramadan bazaar causing congestion, resulting in difficulty for people who have business at the state secretariat offices. It could also cause security and safety problems.”

Rosli said that KMA’s action in dealing with the traders before getting the PDC’s approval had led to losses for the group, as it had started making preparations to operate during the Muslim fasting month.

Following yesterday’s meeting, the PDC believes that the traders’ problems are not as serious as highlighted by “certain irresponsible quarters”, he added.

'PDC to blame for Komtar Ramadan stalls fiasco'