THE Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has imposed new rules for small traders and hawkers who would like to apply for a temporary business permit for the upcoming ‘Kew Ong Ya’ celebration.
MBPP’s public health and licensing committee alternate chairman Nicholas Theng said the rules would be in line with the government’s guidelines to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.
“All the stalls should be two metres apart and only takeaways are allowed.
“In addition to that the business operators should provide the MySejahtera app for the customers to check in and check their temperature.
“The business operators can either supervise the crowd or appoint RELA as well as any other agencies to assist them. Only Malaysians can apply for this temporary business permit.
“The stalls cannot be operated on car park spaces,” said Theng during a press conference today at the MBPP Licencing Department.
Theng also encouraged the traders and hawkers not to use plastic straws and also reduce the usage of plastic containers to help keep Penang as a sustainable city.
Those who are interested need to submit their location plan, application period, desired stall size, a copy of the identity card and a copy of the typhoid vaccination card to the council’s Licencing Department.
“The licence fee is RM1 for every 40sq ft and according to the number of days applied for. The other fees include a waste collection fee of RM6 for each stall and payment for the canopy is according to the sizes.
“The canopy fees are RM100 for 400sq ft, RM200 for 400 to 800sq ft and RM300 for 800 to 1,200sq ft.
“Applications will be open from Sept 21 onwards,” Theng added.
Meanwhile, Theng also announced that the council would be conducting an interview on Sept 30 for those who want to rent the council’s complexes, markets and hawker sites.
“The applicants can only register online at https://elesen.mbpp.gov.my starting from Sept 21 until Sept 28.
“For further enquiries, applicants can walk in to the council’s Licencing Department in Jalan Padang Kota Lama or call 04-263 8818 (ext. 307/308/309/310).
“Those who fail to register within the deadline are not eligible to attend the interview session,” he added.
Also present were MBPP’ councillors Lee Wei Seang; Tan Hooi Peng and Wong Yuee Harng.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Alissala Thian