Patrick Ooi, who owns three cafes named Kaffa, told Nanyang Siang Pau that his three shops were raided after he criticised Lim for oppressing media freedom.

He said he was targeted by both Penang City and Seberang Prai Municipal Councils.

“Three days after my statement was published, both councils slapped me with four summons, for violating various offences,” he said.

FMT reported that the City Council had demolished his Kaffa outlet at the Penang International Airport for “illegal construction” last Tuesday.

But Ooi said the City Council also raided another branch in the island yesterday morning and issued him two summons for allegedly having plants that attract pests, and failing to display a business licence.

“Not only that, the officers went to a Kaffa branch in Prai AutoCity to do a ‘thorough’ check from the morning until night.

“They checked the shop’s cleanliness, the licence and then quizzed if the workers are vaccinated,” he said.

Ooi added that the officers also demanded to see his shop’s architect drawing but the document was with the building’s management.

“I  will still hand over whatever the MPSP officers want after I have asked for them from the management,” he said.

Ooi also told the Chinese daily that he will sue the state government over the councils’ summons.

“I have to seek advice from my legal team on the possible legal avenues,” he said.