MBPJ councillor Suriase Gengiah (centre) presenting a kindergarten operator her building permit. With them are Mohd Fauzi (second from left), MBPJ Development Planning Department director Lee Lih Shyan (right) and other MBPJ councillors.
THIRTY-FOUR kindergarten operators have been granted planning permissions, building permits and licences by Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).
The operators were invited by MBPJ to participate in a one-stop programme to resolve the issue of unlicensed educational activities (kindergartens).
The programme offered operators an opportunity to submit applications for planning permission, building permit and business licence simultaneously through an integrated channel.
It aimed to expedite and simplify the application process and assist operators with the process of complying with existing laws and regulations, including technical requirements, safety standards and legal requirements.
This would also ensure that rights and welfare of their charges were protected.
“The programme started with a one-day session with 50 kindergarten operators to provide a comprehensive understanding of compliance requirements and documentation needed for their applications,” said MBPJ Development Planning Department deputy director Mohd Bakri Salleh.
“The list of operators was referred to us by Selangor Education Department.
“They were divided into two categories – Category A only had planning permission but lacked other documents, while those in Category B did not have planning permission, building structure licence or business licence.”
MBPJ deputy secretary (management) Mohd Fauzi Maarop said, “Following the briefing, participants were given two weeks to prepare and submit the required documents such as their tenancy agreement and building plan.
“Those who fulfilled all the requirements had their applications approved within the same day by a special subcommittee.”
He said applicants also had to settle their compounds with MBPJ as part of the process, and were given significant discounts.
Mohd Bakri said MBPJ also visited the affected kindergarten premises during the two-week period to offer feedback.
“One of the council’s requirements is for operators to get permission from neighbours within a 20m radius to allow their kindergarten to operate.
“Some were unable to get approval because they had illegal building extensions.
“They have two options – to remove the extensions or engage a consultant and submit a request for planning permission by Dec 31.”
Mohd Bakri said three cases had to be referred to the Fire and Rescue Department.
“That department’s circular states that kindergartens cannot be located above food-and-beverage premises due to potential fire hazards and that kindergartens should only be located on ground or first floors.”
Mohd Bakri said a committee within the Fire and Rescue Department had to review these applications and could impose additional conditions on those operators.
On the 16 kindergarten operators that failed to get the permits and licences, he said they would be referred to Selangor Education Department.
Should they choose to submit their applications at a later stage, they would have to go through the standard process.
Mohd Fauzi, along with several MBPJ councillors, presented the approved documents to the 34 kindergarten operators at a ceremony held at the city council’s headquarters.
Fazliana Zainal Abidin is one of the applicants who received a building permit and business licence for the kindergarten she owns and operates in Damansara Perdana.
“It is such a relief to be able to get all the approved paperwork to run the kindergarten.
“It will also assure parents that I operate a proper business.
“I had difficulty applying for a building permit after MBPJ introduced some new requirements years ago.
“And because I didn’t have a business licence, I was unable to renew my kindergarten’s operating licence with Education Department,” she said.
Fazliana added that the substantial discounts by MBPJ to settle fines provided her some financial relief.
