Plan to regulate film making in Penang (Update)

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Island City Council will come up with regulations to regulate filming activities on the island.
Local Government, Traffic Management and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said such regulations and guidelines were needed in view of the state becoming a popular venue for film makers.
He said these regulations should encompass the closure of roads and the usage of public facilities.
The state and council wanted to ensure that proper procedures were followed, he said, adding that there should be proper notification of such activities.
This would help film companies in their planning as well as informing residents in affected areas.
Chow said he did not want filming activities to create panic among unsuspecting residents who might get the wrong idea after seeing stunts using fires, bombs or car chases.
Chow was speaking after attending the swearing-in of the new city council mayor Datuk Maimunah Sharif. The ceremony was also attended by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng. Maimunah replaces Datuk Patahiyah Ismail whose contract ended after serving as the first mayor since 2010.
Filming activities in Penang came under the spotlight after a video of a car chase where a van rammed into a row of parked motorcycles, went viral. The video had spooked those who were not aware of a movie shoot at Lebuh Campbell and Jalan Kuala Kangsar.
theSun reported that traders in the area were not happy with the Saturday shoot as they claimed their businesses were affected as roads were closed from 10am to 7pm.
When told about the traders' complaints, Chow said the issue of compensation was something the council needed to look into.
He said authorities will have to keep this in mind when deciding to close roads for filming activities.