GEORGE TOWN, Nov 5 – Penang state executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow visits one of the fully licensed hotels in George Town, Spices Hotel along Lumut Lane here on Wednesday. Also present were Spices Hotel owner, Michael Ong; and City Council of Penang Island Building Department director, Yew Tung Seang.
“Currently, there are a total 221 illegal hotels on the island including 30 newly opened ones. Out of the 221 illegal hotels, there were only 191 are existing ones listed in the local council’s legalisation exercise. In the meantime, three out of the 191 hotels have been recently issued their full licenses with four more in the process of obtaining their licenses,” said Chow.
Besides that, Chow also said that there were another 50 out of the total 221 hotels, have also submitted applications for full licenses. Besides that, he also urged other illegal hotel operators who persist in running their businesses without permits to applied the license now if not the local council will soon be hauled illegal hotel operators to court.
The illegal hotel operators can be charged under Section 27 and 28 of the Town and Country Planning Act for not applying for planning permission and for breaching the planning permission. While those charged in court are liable to be fined between RM50,000 and RM500,000 or two years’ jail if they fail to pay the fine imposed.
It is learnt that the city council have already compiled a list of 12 illegal hotel operators who may be brought to court soon. Besides that, a total 15 newly opened ones have already closed down after the council started its enforcement exercise. Chow said the others can still apply for temporary annual permits at RM7,200 per annum.
