Seberang Perai councillor apologises for "vandalising" bus stops
A Seberang Perai City councillor has apologised for "an act of vandalism" in George Town by sticking stickers on the QR code for bus schedules, on glass panes at several bus stops.
A video of Cameron Kang Yau Chuang doing the deed was viraled in social media, prompting criticism from his colleagues in the local council.
"I do owe the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) an apology,..
A Seberang Perai City councillor has apologised for "an act of vandalism" in George Town by sticking stickers on the QR code for bus schedules, on glass panes at several bus stops.
A video of Cameron Kang Yau Chuang (above) doing the deed was viraled in social media, prompting criticism from his colleagues in the local council.
"I do owe the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) an apology, but I also find it hard to believe that instead of focusing on the common goal of encouraging public transport, DAP representatives decided to pull in my company which has no role to play in the sticker fiasco," Kang told Malaysiakini.
"There's no better alternative to giving passengers route information in the market. Nonetheless, my apology is sincere," he added.
Asked his response if action is taken against him for his deed, Kang said he welcomed a "fair, impartial compound which is not politically motivated".
"If they wanted to compound me, then it has to be fair, in line with their regulations," said the member of Penang Forum.
"Also, it must not be a special case on me alone. There's so many stickers, illegal parking, blocked five foot way, motorcycles on pavements - they have to enforce action against these too," he added.
Kang hopes his action has raised awareness about the issue of basic infrastructure not done right, for example, neglected bus stops.
He admitted that he had called for a "scan for bus route/map” which involves a web application for a journey planner developed by his company.
"There is a need to have good information for commuters on which routes to take. Since there's no other better way than to involve a product or services such as these by my company, I took the risk," conceded Kang, a member of the public transport advocacy group Transit Malaysia.
Meanwhile, MBPP councillor Nicholas Theng (above) said while he applauds Kang's intentions, it is nevertheless a "clear act of vandalism" that was not approved.
"As a fellow councillor, I am sure that Kang is aware of the guidelines and by-laws with regard to permits for posters and banners in public areas," said Theng in a statement.
"If he does not know, that means he has not been doing his job properly for the past 16 months since we were appointed," Theng added.
"After spending months constantly telling the people of Penang to abide by the rule of law, to see a colleague break it so willingly and without remorse is a betrayal of the people of Penang," Theng stressed.
"Since when are councillors above the law?"
"There are also hypocrisies in Kang’s apology which make me wonder if it is truly sincere," he said.
The QR code sticker could have been easily proposed by Kang in a meeting with MBPP, making known that it will be self-funded.
"I’m sure that MBPP would be more than happy to see if Kang’s idea was beneficial, at no cost.
"Many Penangnites have approached MBPP with trial implementations or CSR initiatives with their own funding, and carried them out with MBPP’s blessing," Theng noted.
"It is clear that they understand the rule of law better than Kang.
"It is no excuse for him to break the law as nonchalantly as he has. After all, MBPP has always been open to good and constructive ideas," Theng said.
"For him to state that he has to carry out illegal feasibility tests is an insult to MBPP and a slap in the face to the rule of law," Theng added.
Theng said the QR code sticker brings people to a mobile app, which then urges them to download it.
As Kang is the operations manager of this mobile app, Theng accused him of pretending to offer public service and solutions, while marketing his own company.
Theng deems this not a public service anymore, but pure advertising for Kang's own profit.
"Hiding behind the guise of providing service to the public, he is only interested in lining his own pockets.
"This is unforgivable for a councillor, especially when so much trust and power have been given to him," Theng said.
"To now play a victim when you have been exposed, reeks of hypocrisy and deceit."
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