The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) will carry out enforcement action against illegal hotels on Penang island from 1 November, following the expiration of the three-year legalisation programme on 31 October.
Penang Local Government Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow noted that most of these hotels are occupying buildings that are not suitable for hotel operations.
“Sixty-three of them did not take the initiative to put in application for rezoning, building plans or planning permission during the legalisation process,” he said.
“But they do have a permit, with some paying the council licensing fees for one or two years during the period.”
“The remaining 16 operators are the hardcore ones who are not bothered at all.”
In a bid to regulate the growing number of unlicensed hotels, the state government issued temporary licences in business areas in 2014 at an annual fee of RM2,400 for hotels and RM1,200 for motels and hostels.
MBPP required all hotels to apply first for temporary permits before they could apply for full licences. The council will not issue temporary licences after the deadline, said Chow.
He revealed that 116 hotels are currently considered for permanent licences, while 14 hotels had already obtained permanent licences since the launch of the programme in 2014.
“Those who are being considered for permanent licences have to act fast by submitting their remaining applications such as building plans before October 31,” he said.
“We will process the applications.”
Image sourced from Newsday.
This article was edited by the editorial team of PropertyGuru. To contact them about this or other stories email editorialteam@propertyguru.com.my
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