GEORGE TOWN, Feb 11 — Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has denied a report by an English-language newspaper that an ambulance was caught in traffic congestion during the two-day Penang Hot Air Balloon Fiesta that ended yesterday.

Lim said the report was a baseless accusation and no complaints on the matter were received during the fiesta held at Padang Polo here.

“It was a very successful fiesta, just like last year. We hope it is not disrupted by baseless accusations as we did not receive any information or complaints as alleged,” he told a press conference here today.

Lim was commenting on a report in The Star newspaper today which said traffic became chaotic due to the balloon fiesta which was held near the Penang Hospital.

Lim also expressed appreciation to the police and the Penang Island City Council for ensuring smooth traffic flow during the fiesta.

Meanwhile, Timur Laut District Police Headquarters Traffic Enforcement Officer, Inspector Mohd Izarrie Shafie also denied the report and said no untoward incidents occurred during the fiesta.

“We the police had two shifts and each shift had four traffic officers on duty, I also stressed to the traffic officers that besides controlling the traffic flow, we had to give priority to ambulances transporting patients in need of immediate treatment. There was no such incidence as claimed,” he said.

MBPP Enforcement Director Feroze Md Noor said 117 vehicles were towed away for disrupting traffic during the fiesta.

“On the first day, the MBPP Enforcement Department towed away 30 cars and 40 motorcycles while on the second day (Feb 10), we towed away 32 cars and 15 motorcycles. It helped to ease the traffic flow. The Enforcement Department was also assisted by 60 Rela members,” he said. — Bernama