AMPANG JAYA: Business owners who operate high-risk establishments have to pay a deposit to Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) when renewing their annual business licences.
Council secretary Abdul Hamid Abdul Hussain said these were entertainment outlets, cyber cafes, massage parlours and industries which handle hazardous materials.
“Selangor state executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah had said, during the state executive council meeting, that it was decided only high-risk establishments would have to pay the deposit. The deposit will not be more than the licence fees and those who fail to pay before Dec 31 will be compounded RM200,” he said.
MPAJ has collected RM1.25 million in deposits from business operators for this year.
“We will return the deposit or contra the deposit as payment for licence fees for businesses that are exempted from paying the deposit,” he said.
MPAJ had earlier issued notices to business operators stating that they would have to pay a deposit on top of their annual business licence fees. This was one of the issues that were discussed during MPAJ’s monthly full-board meeting.
Abdul Hamid said MPAJ had allocated RM 1.44 million to pay for collecting bulk and construction waste in the municipality.
“We will provide 1,000 bins worth RM1.1 million for low-cost housing areas in 40 zones,” he said.
On the issue of potholes, sunken or uneven surfaces and shoddy patchwork, Abdul Hamid said the council would be spending RM600,000 to rectify the matter.
He added that MPAJ would also be spending RM2 million provided by the Malaysian Road Records Information System to carry out road repairs in Kampung Tasik Permai, Kampung Ampang Indah Permai, Kampung Ampang Indah and Kampung Ampang Campuran.
“We have just closed the tender process. The contractors should be starting work next week and the roads should be completed in five weeks,” he said.
Abdul Hamid said 3,886 dengue cases had been reported and 3,872 were confirmed as dengue cases and 14 were classified as dengue haemorrhagic fever. To date, there have been four deaths due to dengue.
The dengue hotspots are Taman Rasmi Jaya, two areas in Taman Kosas, Pandan Mewah, Jalan Jelatek, Taman Muda, Taman Melawati, two areas in Taman Bukit Indah and Pandan Indah.
Abdul Hamid said, since early this year, MPAJ had organised 103 dengue eradication programmes and campaigns.
“We would like to advise residents to check for stagnant water and clean their neighbourhoods regularly,” he said.
During the full-board meeting, three councillors were sworn in. Hassan Yusof, Salmah Ismail and Fong Teck Keong are representing Zones 2, 7 and 8, respectively.
Abdul Hamid said the remaining councillors would be sworn in soon. By Noel Achariam