This filepic shows some of the cats at Catopia during its official launch last year.
ENTRY to Catopia, an outdoor cat playground in Shah Alam, Selangor, will remain free.
Mayor Datuk Mohd Fauzi Mohd Yatim said the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) had yet to table any proposal to introduce an entry fee for visitors to the place.
“MBSA will instead open a Catopia merchandise booth as part of its promotional efforts, while also encouraging visitors to use the facility responsibly and in accordance with set guidelines.
“Proceeds from the sale of Catopia merchandise will be channelled towards minor maintenance works at the site,” he told reporters after the swearing-in ceremony of new city councillors yesterday.
When asked about the booth’s operating date, Mohd Fauzi said MBSA was currently in the process of appointing an operator, with operations estimated to begin in February.
He was responding to a question based on a StarMetro report on July 17 last year that entry to Catopia would be free until Dec 31, with a fee expected to be introduced sometime in January this year.
On another matter, Mohd Fauzi said MBSA had approved 1,168 Ramadan bazaar permits across 25 locations in the city for this year.
Applicants, he said, were required to complete the MBSA Ramadan bazaar food-handling assessment by watching instructional videos provided via the e-Penjaja system.
“Applicants must score at least 18 correct answers to qualify for a Ramadan bazaar permit.
“MBSA is scheduled to hold a permit and kit handover ceremony on Feb 10 at the MBSA Convention Centre in Section 13, Shah Alam,” he said.
To date, Mohd Fauzi said 91% of the 1,283 available lots had been filled, with 111 lots still unoccupied.
The remaining lots are in Sections 6, 7, 8, 16, 17, 18, 25 and 27, as well as TTDI Jaya, Subang Perdana night market site, Subang Bestari carpark, Jalan Matahari U5/117, Subang 2 night market site and Bukit Rahman Putra.
Mohd Fauzi said MBSA would continue its collaboration with MySaveFood @ Bazaar Ramadan this year to reduce food wastage, following good response last year.
On permits to sell fireworks for Chinese New Year, he said the application period was from Dec 30 last year to Jan 16.
Mohd Fauzi said one permit had been approved so far in Section U13, while 12 others were currently being processed.
