A riverside food outlet operating in Sungai Kemensah, Hulu Kelang. — Filepic
OPERATORS offering recreational activities along Sungai Kemensah in Hulu Kelang, Selangor, will soon have a chance to operate legally, as Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) moves to issue temporary business licence to regulate the popular riverside area.
The temporary licence will be valid for three years, during which operators must submit applications for a full business licence.
A 2024 census by MPAJ found that none of the 70 businesses operating in Kampung Kemensah held valid licences, mainly due to zoning and land-status constraints.
Operators now have a 90-day deadline to secure the temporary licence, which will cost them RM1,000 onwards depending on type of activity.
The local council said the annual licences did not amount to final approval and could be revoked if operators failed to comply with set conditions.
MPAJ deputy president Hasrolnizam Shaari said operators would still need to meet basic licensing requirements, including obtaining Planning Permission and a Structural Permit before a full business licence can be granted.
“For example, if they are occupying state land, they will need to seek approval from relevant agencies before they apply for the full licence.
“For private land, they must have the owner’s permission and comply with zoning rules.
“They have three years, until Dec 31, 2028, to submit their applications for a business licence,” he said after chairing MPAJ’s full board meeting.
Enforcement action will be taken once the deadline is up.
Hasrolnizam said the temporary licences could be revoked if disturbances occurred or if operators failed to comply with licence conditions.
He said the move was part of MPAJ’s efforts to regulate riverside recreational and commercial activities and to formalise management within the Gombak-Hulu Langat Geopark.
“The issuance of the temporary licences is intended to support geopark development and local tourism, boost the local and state economy, increase non-tax revenue for MPAJ and enhance the image and credibility of the local council,” Hasrolnizam added.
In June last year, StarMetro reported that MPAJ had submitted a proposal to Selangor Economic Action Council (MTES) to allow conditional temporary business licences and introduce legalisation guidelines for riverside activities.
The state later agreed in principle and MPAJ subsequently began drafting operational guidelines that were expected to be completed by mid-2026.
On another matter, Hasrolnizam said the local council had collected RM57,960 from temporary fireworks sales permits in conjunction with Chinese New Year.
“MPAJ approved 47 out of 55 applications received.
“However, any extension beyond Feb 21 is not permitted, to make way for the temporary fireworks permit for the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations,” he said.
