Man attempts to torch himself outside CM's office

FULL REPORT GEORGE TOWN: A 53-year-old coffeeshop owner doused himself with petrol in an attempt to commit suicide outside the Komtar building here, which houses Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's office.

The man, identified as Teoh Bak Seng, was upset that several doors on the second floor had been closed to prevent public access due to security reasons.

Speaking to reporters earlier, he said the decision had cost him a loss of RM100-RM200 per day in revenue, which was almost 50% of his daily income.

Prior to that, Teoh had staged a lone protest with placards condemning the decision.

But when police officers attempted to pacify him, the businessman doused himself with petrol, and shouted: “Saya mahu bunuh diri” (I want to kill myself).

He was then arrested and taken to the police station located on the fourth floor of the building.

The doors were closed following an incident which saw an angry villager grabbing hold of the chief minister's shoulders and berating him for not helping Malay villagers.

The incident happened when Lim, whose office is on the 28th floor, was preparing to leave the building and had gone down to the second floor, where his driver's room is located.