Businesses in Penang hope filming regulation will include compensation
GEORGE TOWN: Businesses theSun spoke to here hope compensation will be part of the Penang Island City Council (MBPP)regulations to regulate filming activities.
Shin Huat's Native Products owner Ch'ng Poh Tuan, 65, said she welcomed film makers but stressed that locals should not be impeded by such activities.
She said she was not asking for a large amount of money but told authorities and film makers to keep in mind that their businesses will be affected if filming was done on weekends or public holidays.
"I am happy the state will be introducing these regulations," she said when met at her shop today.
A shopkeeper, Loh Boon Keong, 70, also echoed similar views but urged the interests of local stakeholders, like hawkers and petty traders like himself, be kept in mind.
He said he understood Penang was becoming a popular location for shooting movies and so regulations to regulate the industry should be welcomed.
"Our rice bowl is important as well," he added.
Jeruk (fruit pickles) seller Syarifah Mariam Abduh Rahman, 55, said she expected more film makers to head to Penang to shoot their movies.
She however hoped such activities will not disrupt business by blocking the entrance to her shop or five-foot ways.
Heritage activist A. Kumar meanwhile told theSun the filming industry was welcome to shoot their films here but told authorities to ensure the interests of the locals are protected too.
"The rice bowl of traders should not be affected just because a movie is being filmed," he added.
theSun also reached out to a crew member of a filming company who did not want to be named but said film companies would take the interests of the people into account when shooting.
He said compensation has since been given to traders at Lebuh Campbell and Jalan Kuala Kangsar after a movie was shot there last Saturday.
When asked, one of the trader in Jalan Campbell said he was given compensation of some RM400.
However traders at Jalan Kuala Kangsar theSun spoke to declined to reveal how much they were paid.
A video of the shoot which showed a van ploughing into a row of motorcycles there followed by pursuing police cars went viral and purportedly spooked those who did not know a movie was being filmed.
The Penang government and MBPP said they would be coming up with regulations in the future to regulate such activities.