PENANG Local Government, Town, and Country Planning Committee chairman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye unveiled the Temporary Labour Quarters (TLQ) guidelines today at Komtar in George Town.
During a press conference, H’ng highlighted that these guidelines represent a proactive approach to addressing the housing challenges confronted by labour workers.
Additionally, they serve as a comprehensive technical reference within the jurisdictions of local authorities and are slated to take effect on Jan 1, 2024.
In contrast to the previous guidelines introduced during the pandemic, this updated directive outlines specific application criteria for interested parties, particularly companies and developers seeking to establish TLQs for their labour force.
“The guidelines specify eligible building types for conversion into TLQs, including strata residential buildings, landed residential buildings, business buildings, and industrial buildings.
“As of Jan 1, 2024, interested employers and companies can submit their applications to local authorities until Dec 31, 2025. Applications submitted beyond this timeframe will not be accepted,” H’ng emphasised.
He added that successful applicants would be granted a three-year window to operate their TLQs, with the deadline set for Dec 31, 2027.
“Upon the conclusion of this period, TLQs will revert to their original purpose, and all labour workers will be relocated to existing Centralised Labour Quarters (CLQs),” he said.
H’ng clarified that the TLQs for industrial buildings (upon the conclusion of the three-year window period) are subject to the discretion of local authority approval.
“Currently, Penang has four operational CLQs, with two on Penang Island and two in Seberang Perai, accommodating a total of 13,182 labour workers,” H’ng said.
Applicants will be required to pay a processing fee through the Building Department of respective local authorities. The charges will be based on the unit’s square footage, with units of 750sq ft and below incurring a fee of RM1,000 and units of 751sq ft and above incurring a fee of RM3,000.
Despite this being a short-term solution, H’ng stressed the state government’s commitment to finding a long-term resolution to the accommodation issues faced by labour workers while supporting the growing industries in Penang.
He emphasised the ongoing development of CLQs to address these concerns.
In conclusion, H’ng encouraged companies and employers to promptly submit TLQ applications to local authorities to ensure accommodation for labour workers without disturbing local residents.
Interested parties can refer to respective local authority websites for the complete TLQ guidelines.
Also present at the media conference were the Penang Immigration Department director Shah Inor Shahbudin; Penang Labour Department deputy director A. A. Thanavalli; Local Government Department secretary Muhamad Husni Mahmud; Penang Island City Council (MBPP) development planning director Mohd Bashir Sulaiman; MBPP architect Wan Mahdzir Yason; Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) Building Department senior deputy director Norhazwani Mohd Ramle; and State Secretary’s Office administrative officer Kamarulzaman Elias.
Story by Norman Sim
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi