Story by Amanda Khong
ANOTHER chance for hotels or motels in the moratorium list that do not have a temporary operating permit or has yet to apply for one.
The Penang state government has done a lot through the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) to help the hotel’s entrepreneur obtain lawfully legal operating licenses.
One of the efforts that are being done by the state government is to loosen the conditions for license applications.
“MBPP has decided to give temporary operating permits to those hotels listed in the moratorium list. A one year extension will be given to those who already have the temporary permits at the rate of RM2,400 for hotel or RM1,200 for dormitory. This is with the condition that they have submitted their applications for change of use which includes rezoning, planning permission, building plans or the express conditions in land title to the respective authorities before Oct 31,” said Exco member for Local Government, Traffic Management and Flood Mitigation Chow Kon Yeow during a press conference on Nov 2 in Komtar.
Also present during the press conference was MBPP Building Department director, Yew Tung Seang.
Those who already have the temporary operating permit but have yet to submit any of the four change of use before the deadline of Oct 31 will also be given a one year extension but at a different rate of RM7,200 for hotel or RM3,600 for dormitory.
Last category in the moratorium list eligible for the new temporary operating permits would be those who had ignored or failed to submit any application to the authorities. They will be able to get the one year extension but at a higher price of RM9,600 for hotel and RM4,800 for dormitory.
New hotels which are not in the moratorium list would be eligible for the temporary operating permits if they had submitted their applications but will be subjected to the new rates.
Chow added that a permanent operating license only cost RM240 a year and urge all hotel entrepreneurs to get their permits as this announcement will not stop the MBPP enforcement from taking their scheduled actions against illegal hotels unless their permit has been obtained.