Beach operators to get licences

GEORGE TOWN: Water sports operators in Batu Ferringhi will be getting their licences next week. Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the licences would be presented to the jet ski operators who had submitted their applications. He said the state would also stand firm with its decision to ban quad bikes and horse rides along the beachfront. Lim said the decision was finalised in a meeting yesterday with the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP), police, the marine department and the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH).

“Parasailing and jet ski activities will still be allowed but they will be controlled. A few places have already been designated for parasailing and jet skis to land,” he said at a press conference in Komtar yesterday. He added that the police and the MPPP would keep an eye on these activities to ensure that they are confined to their designated areas. “Quad bikes are not allowed except those used by the police and MPPP personnel who will be in their uniforms while patrolling.

“Enforcement will be carried out in over 12 hours in a day, from 8am to 8pm. However, the enforcement period could be extended at any time if there are any complaints. “In carrying out the enforcement, we will get assistance from all hotels who will ‘adopt’ the beaches near their hotels to ensure safety and cleanliness. They may be adop-ted but the beaches are still accessible to the public,” he said. State Local Government and Traf-fic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said with the issuing of the licences, the beach operators would be subjected to certain rules and regulations.

Separately, a ceremony was held in Komtar yesterday for outgoing State Secretary Datuk Zainal Rahim Seman who handed over his duties to his predecessor Datuk Farizan Darus. Zainal Rahim has been promoted to Human Resources Ministry secretary-general while Datuk Farizan Darus is the former State Financial Officer. It was first such ceremony here held to honour an outgoing State Secretary.

-thestar online.