This is one of the moves that we have taken as a new government, to update the regulations to suit the real demand from the public.
Outdoor dining is very popular in Malaysia, from the mamaks to kopitiams to even higher end outlets such as Papparich.
With this policy, which was approved by MPSJ some months ago, and endorsed by the State Government recently, we can legalize all the outlets who want to put tables outdoors.
Of course, MPSJ will evaluate suitability before approval.
This will help operators operate legally, and also cut down instances and allegations of corruption by our officers.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
MPSJ legalises sidewalk dining
Writer: Gan Pei Ling (Selangor Times)
Published: Fri, 23 Dec 2011
SUBANG JAYA: A move to legalise and regulate outdoor dinning at eateries in the municipality is winning is being applauded by restaurant owners.
Subang Jaya Coffeeshop, Bar and Restaurant Association committee member Danny Lim welcomed the decision by the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ).
“This will benefit around 6,000 to 8,000 eateries in the municipality,” said Lim.
Under the new policy, owners can legally apply to MPSJ to place tables and chairs on five-foot ways outside their restaurants during their operating hours.
Despite being unlawful, dinning along sidewalks is a common practice not only in Subang Jaya but throughout the country.
“Now we can apply for the permit instead of paying summonses every month,” said Lim.
He added that it would also help to reduce corruption, as some restaurant operators would rather bribe enforcement officers than pay the summons that could accumulate to thousands of ringgits a year.
MPSJ councillor Pooi Weng Keong and Subang Jaya assemblyperson Hannah Yeoh announced the new policy at a press conference last Friday.
“Previously, the operators were only allowed to place tables and chairs on five-foot ways from 6pm to midnight. They have to remove them after midnight and during daytimes.
“But after a dialogue with the operators in February 2011, taking into account their feedback, MPSJ decided it is more appropriate to base the permit on their respective operating hours,” said Pooi.
However, he noted that food outlets cannot take up all the space on five-foot ways, and must still leave a walkway for pedestrians. Otherwise, their permit could be revoked.
The new policy will affect eateries in Subang Jaya, Bandar Sunway, Puchong, Seri Serdang and Seri Kembangan.
Pooi said restaurant operators, including those that open round-the-clock, can start applying for the new permit with immediate effect.
“The fee is RM30 per table per month,” said Pooi, adding that operators must secure the new permit by March 2012.
Showing posts with label Licensing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Licensing. Show all posts
Billboads & MPSJ
There has been a lot of news in the papers regarding billboards in MBPJ over the last one year. It is because they were the first to tackle this issue head on. Pretty soon we'll probably see MPSJ in the news, with the billboard operators mostly angry at MPSJ... But lets look at what has happened.
The history...
Pre 2009, there has been 3 categories of billboards in MPSJ areas.
1. Signage
- this is billboards under thier contract with MPSJ, special case. There have exclusivity in certain zones in exchange for constructing bus stops and pedestrian bridges throughout MPSJ.
2. Legal billboards
- This are other billboard operators who have constucted billboards legally. For a billboard to be legal, it needs
a) Planning Approval (Kebenaran Merancang) - given by MPSJ
b) Structural Permit - given by MPSJ
c) Visual License - given by MPSJ
d) If on govt land, need TOL (temporary occupancy license) - Land Office
Not many billboards comply with this, tho some actually have License without a) and b). Technically, MPSJ shouldn't have allowed for that, but somehow, pre-2008, all these were allowed.
3. Illegal billboards
- Some of these have no approval at all, and others just have visual license approved and paid.
This has not only caused a loss of income to MPSJ, but also a certain amount of chaos in moving forward.
The dilemma today...
For the purpose of this article, we will refer to the common billboard size, 10' x 40'. The normal rates (since MPSJ started in 1998 till now) is
a) Planning Approval (Kebenaran Merancang) - RM200
b) Structural Permit - RM250
c) Visual License - RM500/visual
d) Billboard license - RM5000
e) If on govt land, need TOL (temporary occupancy license) - previously RM2000, now RM3000
(there is also RM1000 deposit to MPSJ, RM5000 deposit on TOL)
Total due for 2009 is RM8950. However, which we might soon see in the papers, some of this billboard companies will be crying bloody murder, as they claim RM8950 is too expensive, killing their business. They will also claim that previously they only paid RM500 + RM1000 deposit for their billboards. They will claim that the sudden rates are an attempt to kill their rice bowl. They claim that the billboard occupancy rate is around 50% (really? I don't notice that many empty billboards around Subang Jaya, though I admit I've not gone around calculating), and per billboard they only earn an average of RM18k/yr.
Today we had a dialogue with such companies. We want to be fair, we gave them a chance to hear them out. It got pretty ugly at some points.
The future...
From 2010 onwards, based on the state guidelines, all billboards will pay 25% of their revenue to MPSJ under a profit sharing basis, instead of the respective fees.
The decision..
Considering that some billboard companies have been paying the full/proper rates before this, and are willing to do so for 2009, do we stick to this? Are we business un-friendly to do so? We don't want to destroy industries, really, that would also cost job losses and also less revenue to the goverment.
The history...
Pre 2009, there has been 3 categories of billboards in MPSJ areas.
1. Signage
- this is billboards under thier contract with MPSJ, special case. There have exclusivity in certain zones in exchange for constructing bus stops and pedestrian bridges throughout MPSJ.
2. Legal billboards
- This are other billboard operators who have constucted billboards legally. For a billboard to be legal, it needs
a) Planning Approval (Kebenaran Merancang) - given by MPSJ
b) Structural Permit - given by MPSJ
c) Visual License - given by MPSJ
d) If on govt land, need TOL (temporary occupancy license) - Land Office
Not many billboards comply with this, tho some actually have License without a) and b). Technically, MPSJ shouldn't have allowed for that, but somehow, pre-2008, all these were allowed.
3. Illegal billboards
- Some of these have no approval at all, and others just have visual license approved and paid.
This has not only caused a loss of income to MPSJ, but also a certain amount of chaos in moving forward.
The dilemma today...
For the purpose of this article, we will refer to the common billboard size, 10' x 40'. The normal rates (since MPSJ started in 1998 till now) is
a) Planning Approval (Kebenaran Merancang) - RM200
b) Structural Permit - RM250
c) Visual License - RM500/visual
d) Billboard license - RM5000
e) If on govt land, need TOL (temporary occupancy license) - previously RM2000, now RM3000
(there is also RM1000 deposit to MPSJ, RM5000 deposit on TOL)
Total due for 2009 is RM8950. However, which we might soon see in the papers, some of this billboard companies will be crying bloody murder, as they claim RM8950 is too expensive, killing their business. They will also claim that previously they only paid RM500 + RM1000 deposit for their billboards. They will claim that the sudden rates are an attempt to kill their rice bowl. They claim that the billboard occupancy rate is around 50% (really? I don't notice that many empty billboards around Subang Jaya, though I admit I've not gone around calculating), and per billboard they only earn an average of RM18k/yr.
Today we had a dialogue with such companies. We want to be fair, we gave them a chance to hear them out. It got pretty ugly at some points.
The future...
From 2010 onwards, based on the state guidelines, all billboards will pay 25% of their revenue to MPSJ under a profit sharing basis, instead of the respective fees.
The decision..
Considering that some billboard companies have been paying the full/proper rates before this, and are willing to do so for 2009, do we stick to this? Are we business un-friendly to do so? We don't want to destroy industries, really, that would also cost job losses and also less revenue to the goverment.
MPSJ's Subsidized Services / Welfare Benefits
Business Opportunities for the needy
- Wet Market (for Traders)
- Food Courts
- Pasar Ramadan
- Roadside Traders
The above licences/permit/rent is very very low compared to the market rates. No way the beneficiaries of the above can conduct similar scale business on private property at the rates they are paying. Thus, with this opportunity, comes conditions, which they must accept, such as minimun standard of service, owner operates (no renting or subleting licence, permits for a quick buck), etc
The beneficiaries of this licences/permits should realise that its not a "right", but a privalage given to them by the local council, which they stand to lose, if they don't follow the rules.
Welfare for the needy
- Council homes
- Rent subsidy
For the public at large
- Community Halls
- Sports facilities
- Library
The perception of quite a lot of people is that these facilities are owed to them by the government. Thus, rental should be very minimal, or in fact not be charged. And sometimes, it is right, some things should be subsidized, for its indirect effect works for the greater good of the community.
But the bottom line is that the money for this facilities need to come from somewhere. Either the council operates the facilities at cost, passing on all incurred cost as fees - i.e. Charge hall rentals and badminton court rentals at what it actually cost the council to build and operate. Or have society at large subsidize it. Which means part of the revenues of the council (basically assessment rate, licence & summons) goes towards funding these facilities.
There is no right or wrong answer here, the way I see it. It is up to society to decide how we want our council to spend our money. Budgets and financial statements of the council are available for public viewing (yes, they're not secret).
Issue 002: Enforcement, to ensure fair collection of licensing revenues for council
Issue Type: Problem to Solve
Background:
Ultimate problem:
1. loss of revenue to MPSJ
2. Business not being conducted within MPSJ regulations, often times causing inconvinience to others
- Lots of businesses (30-50%?) do not renew their business licence/signboard licence
- Restaurants who do not licence their outdoor tables
- advertising - billboards, banners, buntings, etc
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
