ENTREPRENEURS are free to set up their businesses in the heritage enclave on condition that the guidelines and local bylaws are complied, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said.
He pointed out businesses must obtain the green light from the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) before setting up their premises in area.
“The state does not stop them from doing business. However, it must be subjected to development control as there is a Special Area Plan (SAP) to regulate development in the area.
“All regulations must be strictly adhered to,” Chow told a press conference after attending the Art for Peace forum organised by the Global Chinese Art and Society at the Eastern & Oriental (E&O) Hotel today.
Chow was responding to a question on the demolition of the illegal extension of a café in Armenian Street.
The illegal extension was torn down by the MBPP yesterday after it was built without the approval from the council. The extension was located near the famous ‘Little Children on a Bicycle’ mural in Armenian Street.
Lithuanian-born artist Ernest Zacharevic, who painted the mural in 2012, wrote a long and emotional post on his Instagram; lamenting how his mural had brought much changes to the street.
Zacharevic blamed his own mural and was thinking of erasing his artwork.
In response to that, Chow said the various murals in the heritage area had attracted tourists to Penang and boosted the state’s tourism industry.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Alissala Thian
Video by Ahmad Adil Muhamad