By Karen Bong
KUCHING, March 24: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng’s act of issuing a compound to himself after his official car was spotted by an Opposition lawmaker for illegally parking has earned the praise and respect of netizens for setting an example of good leadership.
This came after Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong raised the issue on her social media account yesterday (March 23) that the mayor should know not to park his official car on the yellow line and asked that the traffic police take action against him and “not his driver”.
Upon realising his mistake, Wee was issued the compound notice by the Council’s enforcement division yesterday which he promptly paid.
The violation was believed to have been committed along Jalan Padungan where Wee attended a function at a restaurant there.
“I have found myself to be at fault in this situation and I sincerely apologise for my oversight and any inconvenience it may have caused.
“I will also ensure that such mistakes do not recur in the future,” he said in a statement posted on his social media account.
Wee added that as the mayor, it is his responsibility to lead by example and adhere to the laws that govern the community.
“I firmly believe that no one is above the law, and I am committed to upholding this principle,” he said.
He also expressed his gratitude to Yong for her “diligence” in ensuring that he complied with the traffic regulations.
“Once again, I extend my sincere apologies and assure the public of my commitment to practising the values I advocate,” he reiterated.
This is not the first time Wee has taken up responsibility for his mistakes – in May 18, 2021, he had also reported himself for violating the Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOP) for allowing a small birthday celebration over lunch in the MBKS headquarters after he was heavily criticised by the public.
On yesterday’s case which Wee shared publicly on his social page, it has gained 514 likes and 105 comments.
Apart from the praises for Wee, a netizen also raised an issue with Yong, questioning if she would also target the public for parking illegally around the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) and Tanah Putih polyclinic.
“When will YB (Yong) go there (and) take photos?”
Another netizen even shared a photo of Yong and other Democratic Action Party (DAP) members posing on heavily modified motorbikes which did not have registration plates displayed.
“(These) Modified bikes have Puspakom approval ka?”
In the post shared by Yong which has so far gained 224 reactions and 51 comments, netizens have largely criticised the mayor for violating the traffic rules and regulations with some even joking if the Mayor was in a rush to buy 4D. — DayakDaily