GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) will extend its rules on tourist accommodation premises (TIP) to the George Town Unesco World Heritage Site.
State local government committee chairman Jason H’ng said the decision was made at a meeting involving MBPP, PLANMalaysia and George Town World Heritage Incorporated on Sept 28.
He said the meeting was held after several TIP operators raised the matter following the announcement of the new rules in August 2026.
“The meeting agreed that the TIP rules should be extended to the George Town World Heritage Site,” he said in his reply to Chee Yeeh Keen (PH - Bagan Jermal) during the state Legislative Assembly sitting on Tuesday (Nov 3).
Chee asked whether MBPP was planning to extend the TIP rules to the George Town World Heritage Site.
H’ng said the existing final draft of the George Town World Heritage Site Special Area Plan (replacement) includes rules on tourist stays.
"These include updating the list of hotels and drawing up guidelines for existing budget and boutique hotels. There were no clear rules yet for TIP.
"MBPP is now drawing up guidelines for these premises, including setting the allowed percentage or ratio.
“The draft guidelines will be finalised after talks with the relevant departments and agencies to ensure they are in line with planning policies and heritage needs," he said.
He added that the rules will also be included in the Special Area Plan now being drawn up.
H’ng said the guidelines would take into account the types of activities allowed in each zone, land and building use, as well as the need to protect the heritage site.
"The move is aimed at keeping tourist accommodation in check while ensuring that homes remained homes, the site's Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) was protected and the well-being of local residents was not affected.
It was earlier reported that a new by-law requiring private short-term rental operators in Penang to obtain licences from local authorities has come into force.
This gave the councils clearer powers to regulate and take enforcement action against non-compliant operators.
H'ng said the by-law was introduced following continued complaints over the operation of private lodging premises and was drawn up after considering current needs and feedback from relevant stakeholders.
Under the new by-law, TIP operators must obtain a licence from the relevant local authority and comply with stipulated conditions covering operations, cleanliness, safety, prohibited activities and nuisances.
