THE Penang Island City Council (MBPP) will issue a temporary Business From Home (BFH) permit for small-scale operators from Nov 1.
Its mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang said only Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above are eligible to apply for the permit with a payment of RM10 from Nov 1 to Dec 31 this year.
“The permit cannot be rented or leased to any foreigners while the applicants must conduct their businesses at their homes.
“Those small traders who are using their residential houses to run small-scale businesses can apply for the permit as long as they are subject to the licencing requirements.
“Most importantly, the applicants involved in food handling and preparation are required to get typhoid vaccination and must attend a health education course set by council,” he said after chairing a council meeting in City Hall, Esplanade today.
Yew said this initiative would be able to assist those small-traders to obtain additional income during the current Covid-19 pandemic.
“It will also facilitate them to conduct their businesses legally,” he said, adding that the council could impose additional licence conditions or even revoke the temporary permit if the operator violates any of the conditions under the Local Government Act 1976.
Those with any queries can visit www.mbpp.gov.my for further info.
On a separate matter, Yew said MBPP would study whether the leftover structure from a damaged overhead bridge in Weld Quay was suitable for the monument to be built.
“We are studying and exploring various avenues to find out whether the structure can be transformed into a monument,” he added.
The structure, which was erected in the 70s, was the first overhead pedestrian bridge in Penang.
It was damaged on Feb 5 this year when a piling crane crashed into it.
The whole structure was then dismantled the following day.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Law Suun Ting