GEORGE TOWN — The Penang state government will not be compensating the family of Chinese tourists crushed to death by an uprooted tree that fell on their vehicle at a heritage museum here, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said.
The unfortunate incident occurred on private property, he said, adding that any legal action the family may want to initiate should be against the owner of the musuem.
“Property owners must be responsible to keep their property safe. (Plus) this (property) is a tourist attraction,” he said in press conference last night.
On Wednesday, a father and daughter, from China, died when an uprooted tree fell on a MPV belonging to their private tourist guide at the Penang Peranakan Mansion, on Lebuh Gereja, here.
The victims are believed to be in the 50s and 30s.
The incident was one more than 100 cases of uprooted and fallen trees reported through Penang since over the weekend as the norther part of the peninsula was under a Category 1 strong winds and rough seas warning by the Meteorological Department that is expected to last until this Saturday (September 21).
The stormy weather also saw floods in various district on mainland Penang.
On this, Chow said the state government provides aid in the form of food, drinks and household items to flash flood victims evacuated to temporary relief shelters.
However, those who are not relocated are not categorised as eligible to receive funds. — September 20, 2024.