GEORGE TOWN – Penang traffic police found themselves in a spot of controversy again following their decision to offer escort services to private citizens.
This time, netizens were up in arms over the move to accord an escort for the private visit of two former Thai prime ministers – Thaksin Shinawatra and his younger sister Yingluck Shinawatra – to the island state on Tuesday.
It is learnt that the duo were given the VIP treatment as they toured the Unesco World Heritage Site on Tuesday, attracting attention from passers-by wherever they went.
Earlier this year, two traffic outriders were transferred to another department after they were captured on social media escorting the vehicle of Baling MP Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim’s son, as the individual hastened his way to a wedding ceremony here.
In this instance, however, state police chief Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said police received the necessary approval to provide escort and security services as both Thaksin and Yingluck were former prime ministers.
“The assignment (of escort and security) was to ensure the safety of the two known individuals as well as to prevent unwarranted things from happening to them,” he told journalists.
According to Shuhaily, the issue does not need to be sensationalised because police were only carrying out their duties to maintain security.
“There is indeed an escort-detailed assignment. They are both well-known individuals and persons of interest because they are both former prime ministers.
“The security services are there to ensure that nothing untoward happens to them by those with bad intentions against them.”
Shuhaily added that if anything untoward were to happen, all parties would point their fingers at police for failing to ensure public security, especially for tourists.
“I am tasked with Penang’s safety and security. It is my responsibility,” he added.
It is learnt that both Thaksin and his sister were on a private vacation to Penang as the island state reminds them of the Thai island resort of Phuket.
They were believed to be on a three-night stay here.
After they were spotted on Tuesday wandering around George Town, Yingluck took it upon herself to post photographs of their visit to the “Pearl of the Orient.”
Both are reportedly living in exile in Europe, namely Germany and the United Kingdom, after they were expelled from their native country following a Thai military coup.
When he was the Thai prime minister, Thaksin was on a mission to fast track the development of the agriculture-dominant kingdom.
He was once quoted as saying that he was an admirer of former Malaysian prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Meanwhile, an official with the state government here hopes that the presence of both former Thai leaders does not invite any political speculation.
“It is good for Penang’s tourism that the duo is visiting Penang.
“It is a bonus for us, especially since the state wants to revive tourism here after two years of lockdowns,” the official who spoke on the condition of anonymity added. – The Vibes, September 23, 2022
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