Karthigesu (right) listening to a UTC staff explaining the queue numbering system at the Seberang Perai centre in Penang Sentral. — Photos: CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
Dealing with government agencies easier with 14 under one roof
THE state’s second Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) has opened at Penang Sentral in Butterworth.
Over a million residents on the mainland, as well as southern Kedah and northern Perak, are expected to make use of UTC Seberang Perai.
Open daily from 8am to 9pm, the UTC on the third and fourth-level houses 14 key agencies including the National Registration Department, Immigration Department, Road Transport Department, the police, health and dental clinics, Public Service Commission (SPA) and Inland Revenue Board.
Other facilities include the Kiosk Sentuhan Madani (KSM) and Cash Aid Information Hub which manage various assistance schemes such as Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR), Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara), Budi Madani RON95 (Budi95) and aid under the Social Welfare Department.
Jobseekers can also benefit from the Public-Private Sector Career Hub, a collaboration between SPA and MyFutureJobs that provides employment information and career counselling.
Developed by Malaysian Resources Corporation Bhd (MRCB) based on Finance Ministry guidelines, UTC Seberang Perai is strategically located within the integrated transport terminal, making it accessible to train, bus, ferry and taxi commuters.
Anwar touring UTC Seberang Perai after the launch.
The centre, which is the 24th nationwide, was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Nov 7.
It occupies an area measu- ring 0.55ha.
Businesswoman Eng Mooi Fang, who was seen at the Immigration Department counter with her children, said the new facility was both timely and necessary.
“Having this facility here makes it so much easier for families like mine to access multiple government services under one roof.
“Once I heard it was opening, I brought my children along to get their passports done.
“No hassle at all, everything is easy here,” she said, adding that the UTC’s modern setup and convenient location would save both time and effort, especially for those visiting several agencies in one trip.
Technician S. Karthigesu echoed similar sentiments, saying the centre’s accessibility and weekend operations made a big difference.
“Previously, we had to wait until Monday to renew our licences, but now I can come on a Saturday or Sunday.
“This greatly helps those who work,” he said.
Homemaker Norliza Mohd Yusoff said the UTC made running errands much simpler.
“With everything under one roof, I no longer have to travel to different offices for various services,” she said.
“The extended hours and weekend opening are especially convenient for working parents with schoolgoing children.”
