He said the state government had only supported the museum by subsidising part of its rental cost at the mall section of Komtar.
The museum had come under scrutiny after its curator, former DAP firebrand Hew Kuan Yau, was accused of promoting communism in his controversial “Belt and Road Initiative for Win-Winism” comic book.
The book was distributed to schools nationwide. After concerns of indoctrination, it was later banned by the home ministry and several thousand copies seized.
“The operator of the comic museum had made a mistake by saying it was ‘owned by PYDC’. The operator has been informed and since has had this notation removed,” Chow said.
PYDC is an acronym for the Penang Youth Development Corporation, a state agency.
“The state government has no direct relations with the museum. Our part is merely to sponsor their lease.
“That lease, in turn, is paid to the Penang Development Corporation, which is a state statutory body,” he said at the state assembly today.
Chow said the museum had used its own money, close to RM2 million, to set up the museum.
“We will take another look at the sponsorship when it comes to an end in December 2020. We will make a decision then,” he said.
Chow said this in response to a question by opposition leader Muhamad Yusoff Mohd Noor (BN-Sungai Dua), who had asked why PYDC was linked to the museum.
Chow said the museum had been supported by the Penang government since 2016 as part of Komtar’s revitalisation plan to get more people to visit the state government complex and mall.
He had also defended the comic book, saying it had merely been a platform to showcase the development of socialism in China and was banned too soon.
Penang coat-of-arms
Earlier, Chow issued a reminder that the use of Penang’s coat of arms, crest and other standards without prior permission remained illegal under state law.
He said those wanting to use Penang’s official symbols must seek permission from the state secretary first.
Chow said this came under the State of Penang Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Enactment 1961.
In a supplementary question, Joseph Ng Soon Siang (PH-Air Itam) asked if this applied to vehicle number plates bearing the Penang crest.
Chow said under state law, it remains illegal and it was up to the Road Transport Department to enforce the law.
“This also applies to organisers of concerts, functions and others. We have always told them to write in. If there is good justification, we will allow it. There are no fees to pay,” he said.
Chow said the state was taking a soft approach by issuing warning letters to those who misuse the emblem at the moment as many did not know it is illegal to use such insignia.
Checks by FMT showed the 1961 Enactment allows a fine of RM1,000 if a person is convicted of the offence.
Under the law, it is illegal to use the following without permission — the coat of arms of the governor; coat of arms, emblems or crest of the state government and the Penang Island City Council (MBPP).
Also in the schedule are the orders, insignias, medals, badges and decorations related to the governor. The Penang state flag and the MBPP council flag also cannot be used without permission.
It is also illegal for companies to register a trademark or design which bears any emblem or crest of the state or have a patent with a similar design.