THE Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has extended the application deadline for temporary conditional licences for unlicensed vehicle repair workshops and recycling centres to Dec 31 this year to allow more operators to legalise their businesses.
MBPP mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said the extension is necessary as many operators are still facing challenges in meeting the requirements to obtain approval.
He said the council hopes the additional time will encourage more operators to come forward and work towards complying with the required regulations.
“Currently, there are 343 unlicensed vehicle repair workshops within the MBPP area, but only 30 have obtained temporary conditional licences.
“This means the response is still low, with less than 20 per cent of operators applying,” he told a press conference after chairing the MBPP meeting today.
Rajendran said among the issues faced by operators include the need to complete land-use zoning conversion procedures and pay the relevant fees, objections from landowners, as well as difficulties in fulfilling technical requirements set by the council.
“We welcome them to discuss with us so that we can find solutions. However, if their premises are located in residential areas or places that are not suitable according to planning requirements, they will have to relocate to approved areas,” he said.
He added that MBPP will allow such operators to continue operating at their existing locations under temporary conditional licences for a maximum period of three years, giving them time to complete the legalisation process or relocate.
On recycling centres and scrap collection facilities, Rajendran said MBPP had also extended the temporary conditional licence application period to Dec 31.
He added that the scheme, which was introduced in September last year, has been extended for the third time due to similar challenges faced by operators.
“Out of 39 recycling centre and scrap collection operators, 18 have obtained temporary licences, while the remaining applications were either rejected, still being processed, or have not been submitted,” he said.
Rajendran said recycling centres often required larger operating spaces, while operators were also required to pay annual fees as part of the licensing requirements.
“The temporary conditional licence is only for a maximum period of three years. It is not a permanent licence, but a transition period for operators to comply with the requirements,” he said.
Meanwhile, MBPP has also approved two upgrading projects within the George Town World Heritage Site under the Penang Island Urban Area Nature-Based Climate Adaptation Programme.
Rajendran said the first project involves upgrading the back lanes and side lanes connecting Lebuh Carnarvon, Lebuh Melayu and Lorong Carnarvon, while the second covered upgrading works along Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling from the MBPP Pitt Street Complex to Lebuh Armenian, as well as the Jalan Kampung Kolam area.
He said the projects will incorporate nature-based solutions to improve public spaces, enhance walkability and strengthen the city’s resilience against climate change.
“The projects will prioritise funding allocations from the Federal Government through Budget 2025 and the National Heritage Department.
“If the allocation is insufficient, the remaining costs will be covered under the Urban Area Nature-Based Climate Adaptation Programme through funding from the World Bank Adaptation Fund and MBPP,” he added.
On a separate matter, MBPP will rent out two heritage buildings to Mutiara Realty Construction Sdn Bhd for business and tuition centre use under a long-term lease that could last up to 45 years.
Rajendran said the company won the lease through an open tender and is expected to pay about RM3.88 million in rental to the council over the entire lease period.
He added that the company will restore the heritage buildings at its own cost, while also providing 20 free tuition places for students every year as part of its community contribution.
One unit in the Kampung Kolam building will be returned to MBPP for public use after the restoration works are completed, while another unit in Mount Erskine will also be returned to MBPP for public use upon completion of its restoration.
Story by Edmund Lee