What he is talking about?

DAP man summoned over illegal pub operation

By TAN SIN CHOW

GEORGE TOWN: A DAP municipal councillor was issued a police summons for operating a pub without an entertainment licence.

Tham Weng Fatt, who is also Penang DAP’s Action Team chief, admitted Monday that police gave him the summons at his girlfriend’s pub in Patani Road on Friday night.

Tham, who was present at the pub then, had requested for the summons be issued in his name. Police had initially issued the summons to his girlfriend, the pub owner.

“Although it is technically wrong, I have to look after my livelihood as well,” he said.

“My conscience is clear as all we provide are alcoholic drinks and music. No illegal activities are allowed and there are no 'China dolls'.”

He added that his girlfriend had been operating the pub since June 2006 and had received three similar summonses over the last year.

Tham, who applied for an entertainment licence in 2006, said he had obtained the business licence from the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) and liquor licence from the Customs Department.

“We even paid royalty and copyrights fees for the songs and music videos played in the premises. The building also had approval from the Fire and Rescue Department.”

Tham said the council could only issue the entertainment licence with a green light from the police and accused them of “dilly-dallying” over the matter.

George Town OCPD Asst Comm Azam Abdul Hamid said the police team which inspected the premises, issued the summons after their investigations revealed that the business was operating illegally without an entertainment licence.

When contacted, state State Local Government, Traffic Management and Environment Committee chairman and Penang DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow said he would ask Tham to submit a detailed report about this issue.

“In the meantime, the police too, should give an explanation and reasons about why the outlet was denied a permit to run the business.”