GEORGE TOWN: Pandemonium broke out when nearly 300 people rushed to a Penang gold dealer’s premises at Lebuh Bishop here yesterday to get ang pows and other goodies which were supposedly for the elderly and disabled people in conjunction with the Chap Goh Mei (last day of the Chinese New Year) celebration.
Some of them were seen falling on the floor while cries of young children could also be heard during the frenzy despite attempts by security personnel there to calm things down and requesting them to line up properly to get the gifts from the directors and business partners of the gold dealing company.
Bernama was made to understand that the company had only issued out 200 coupons for the elderly and disabled people at the Khoo Kong Si temple two weeks ago, which would then could be redeemed for the gifts yesterday.
“Apparently more than 200 people turned up yesterday. Probably those who did not get the coupons might have heard that we are giving away gifts and they were just taking their chances,” said one of the company’s staff.
The situation eventually calmed down and the presentation went on smoothly with no further untoward incidents occurring.--Bernama