ALL private car parks on Penang island must be installed with closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras from next year in order to obtain an operating licence from the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP).

MPPP licensing committee alternate chairman Tay Leong Seng said the council hoped to come up with proper guidelines on the matter in the next six months.

He said both open air and enclosed car parks would have to abide by the requirement, adding that there were now about 115 such car parks.

“Once the guidelines are ready, the car park operators are required to follow them and install the CCTVs at the specified areas.

“We will not renew or issue operating licences to those who fail to do so,” he told reporters after a full council meeting in George Town yesterday.

Tay said the decision was made at the meeting to ensure the safety of the public in these car parks.

He said the management companies of most hotels and shopping malls on the island had already installed CCTVs in their car parks.

He said car parks belonging to the council would also be installed with CCTVs with an open tender to be called for the purpose once the guidelines were ready.

“We hope the one-year notice will help prepare the operators for the new ruling,” Tay added.

On another issue, he said a briefing would be held for those interested to operate hawker stalls at the Relau food court (Medan Bayan) and at the Desa Green food court on Jalan Van Praagh on March 2 and March 8 respectively at the MPPP’s fourth floor office at Komtar.

He said those interested to take up the 68 stalls at the Relau food court and 42 stalls at Desa Green must attend the briefing in order to qualify for the tender process.

“The old contracts for both food courts have expired and we are giving the chance to anyone who is interested to bid for the tender.

“The closing dates for the tender registration are March 8 and March 15 respectively,” Tay said.

Friday February 26, 2010

The Star Online