GEORGE TOWN, Dec 26 — Cafe owner Datuk Patrick Ooi should initiate legal action against the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) if he feels it abused its powers by fining him RM350, a councillor suggested today.

MBPP’s public health standing committee alternate chairman Ong Ah Teong said the council’s enforcers were unlikely to have a personal vendetta against the Kaffa Cafe owner or act on it over his criticism against Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng last week.

"I would also suggest the owner to take legal action against MBPP should he feels that the council is misusing its power.

"We also do not want our officers to misuse their power,” Ong said in a statement.

Ooi’s shop on China Street was found to have operated without a valid licence during a spot-check on December 23, for which the council issued a compound fine of RM250.

The MBPJ officers further fined him another RM100 after discovering rat faeces behind his premises, an offence punishable under Section 16(1) of the MPPP’s Food Establishment by-law 1991 even though they found his kitchen in a good condition and gave it a score of 88 per cent, which is a Grade A.

Ong chided Ooi for being overly sensitive to the enforcement action taken and told him to emulate Umno leader Datuk Ahmad Ismail who reportedly admitted to being at fault for putting up an illegal awning.

"Whining does no good for your problems. Just be a man and admit your own mistake,” Ong said.

Ong said the MBPP has issued 1,310 compounds worth a total RM327,500 for various offences under the Food Establishment by-law 1991 to food operators including those operating without license.

Other than Kaffa Cafe, the council officers also checked on several other food outlets on the same street.

Peace & Joy has a valid license and was graded 75 per cent or Grade B but the operator was compounded for not having anti-typhoid vaccination.

Street Art Cafe was also compounded for not having a valid license and for placing food ingredients less than 20cm from the floor.

Hing Kee has a valid license but was also issued a compound for not having anti-typhoid vaccination while Hock Leong Yen did not get a compound as it did not violate any council by-laws.