Wong showing the road blocked by Gerakan for their CNY party.
Story by Chan Lilian
CLAIMS by opposition parties Gerakan and MCA that the people are against the Penang Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2017 as it causes traffic jams have been rubbished as just hot air.
“The MBPP enforcement team had an ‘all-out’ duty roster to ensure that traffic in Penang is under control. In conjunction with the celebration of the Chinese New Year, Hot Air Balloon festival, Thaipusam and Chap Goh Meh, Penang had anticipated busy traffic for the period due to the returning of Penang locals and the incoming of visitors from both outstation and overseas,” Penang Island City Council (MBPP) councillor Wong Yee Harng said on Feb 7.
“The state government and the local government practise understanding among all Penangites especially during festivals. MBPP’s enforcement team will only focus on those ‘inconsiderate’ illegal parking which blocks road access or causes unnecessary traffic jams,” Wong said.
“Gerakan held its CNY open house on Feb 5, and set up traffic cones at Macalister Road. They used up a lane for their guests to park illegally. Though they are the political opposition in Penang, the city council applied the same understanding and tolerance without taking action,” Wong added.
MBPP director of Enforcement Mohd. Feroze Md. Noor said there was no report of any unusual traffic jams during the fiesta.
“There is no incident of any unusual traffic congestion. MBPP had 35 enforcement officers working day and night while 70 from Rela helped throughout the festival. On Feb 4, we had to tow away four vehicles and transferred to the nearby St. George’s school while on Feb 5, 10 cars were towed away. We also offered help to the Penang General Hospital to ensure the ambulances were not obstructed. We are glad to report that we did not receive any complaints from the GH about traffic congestion,” Mohd. Feroze said.
Meanwhile, the Hot Air Balloon was a success with some 200,000 people turning up for the event. Despite all sorts of threats and boycotts, even more people turned up for this year’s festival compared to previous years.
“Traffic was smooth throughout the three days and the relevant authorities did not report any unusual traffic congestion. Kudos to the authorities who had handled the traffic so well. Visitors had used public transport, taken the free shuttle bus, used on Grab cars and some parked at the 1,200 parking lots provided,” AKA Balloon Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Izzati Khairudin said in a press conference on Feb 8.