MPSP urged to take action against illegal seaside restaurant at Pantai Bersih

GEORGE TOWN If there is no approval, action will be taken and the building will be torn down, Penang Environment, Welfare and Caring Society Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh told the State Legislative Assembly today.
He was referring to an issue of a seaside restaurant at Pantai Bersih operating on the beach reserve without approval which was raised by Datuk Jahara Hamid (BN – Teluk Air Tawar).
The Penang Legislature Opposition Leader had questioned why no action seem to be taken despite 22 notices issued by the North Seberang Perai District and Land Office.
She said the structure was a big seafood restaurant and people there had protested and complained while the building was being constructed.
“Reports were lodged, we conducted demos but the place is now in operation, the state government is being ignored,” she said.
Penang Local Government, Taffic Management and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said there was no special consideration in this case and action will be taken.
Turning around to face state government officers behind him, the Exco man told the Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) and relevant authorities to take action.
“MPSP, District Office, just take action, do not let the image of the Penang government be affected by non-action,” he said but told assemblymen not to accuse the administration of being uncaring when action was taken.
Chow in winding up his debate earlier said the Penang Island City Council was in the process of training officers to use drones to monitor illegal hill clearing after engaging private companies to do so.
He said the City Council view the issue seriously enough to use drones to control and monitor the hill clearing activities.
He said difficulty in accessing the site, obtaining proper documentation and to ensure the investigation paper was in order were the factors of delays in enforcement action against illegal hill clearing activities.
“The City Council has also engaged a licensed surveyor as one of the ways to hasten the enforcement process,” he said in response to Jahara and Dr Norlela Ariffin (PKR – Penanti).