Pay attention to public safety, Gerakan tells state government
Press Statement by Penang Gerakan Youth Chief Oh Tong Keong
June 14, 2011
Penang Gerakan regrets the latest incident of a Briton who fell into an uncovered part of a drain in Batu Ferringhi on Sunday, saying the state government should pay attention to public safety.
Penang Gerakan Youth chief Oh Tong Keong said public safety was of paramount importance and
there should be concerted efforts to prevent such incidents.
“It is the state government’s duty and responsibility to see to it that public places including the beaches, pavements and walkways in the Batu Ferringhi tourism belt are safe,” said Oh in a
statement.
Oh said uncovered drain holes and uneven surfaces at pavements and walkways are potential risks
for pedestrians and road users.
Oh said this latest mishap and the incident of a five-year-old girl who was hit by a galloping horse along the beach in Batu Ferringhi on June 5, coupled with the triple breakdowns of the Penang Hill Railway service was giving Penang and its tourism industry a very bad name.
He said state authorities should take proactive action rather than delayed reaction. “State leaders should not pinpoint fingers or put blame on others when the truth is inefficiency, incompetency and lack of initiatives by all those involved,” Oh added.
Brendan Tully, 57, a retiree from England, suffered bruises to his knee and hand after falling into an uncovered part of a drain in Batu Ferringhi while trying to help his disabled friend on Sunday.
“I have seen a number of public spots in Batu Ferringh where the pedestrian walkways are blocked,” he said, adding there were also not many pedestrian walkways in Batu Ferringhi.
Tully, who lodged a police report over the incident, also urged the authorities to take immediate action to cover the hole to avoid further incidents from taking place.
