Better rules to boost city’s businesses, create jobs

PETALING Jaya City Council (MBPJ) engaged with entrepreneurs to create new business activity guidelines and update existing ones with the aim of driving economic growth.

This is in line with Bank Negara’s growth projection, this year, for the services and manufacturing sectors to expand by 5.5% and 3.5%, respectively.

During an engagement session with entrepreneurs at a hotel in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, participants discussed seven new business activity guidelines as well as regulations.

Among the new guidelines that MBPJ has been updating are for commercial activities including go-karting, golf simulator, pet hotels and pet groomers.

The legalising of businesses in Kampung Chempaka, Petaling Jaya Old Town and Taman Medan were also discussed.

Petaling Jaya mayor Mohamad Zahri Samingon said previously, there had been no proper guidelines.

“Before Ramadan this year, we conducted a workshop in Penang to involve industry players and hear their opinions of improvements needed when drafting guidelines,” he said.

Mohamad Zahri said these regulations aimed to control business activities and ensure residents’ well-being.

He envisioned that this would open up job opportunities.

The new guidelines, he said, would be launched soon.

MBPJ Licensing, Business Development and Entrepreneur Department director Sharinaz Samsudin said it was important to monitor pet hotels and groomers.

“Presently, such businesses are operating based on our 2012 guidelines.

“Through engagement with stakeholders, we can take out certain parts and add new ones to the guidelines,” she said.

She said pet hotels and grooming services were among new business activities gaining public demand.

MBPJ had also garnered views from the Veterinary Services Department to effectively regulate these businesses.

The city council also referred to external sources such as the Illinois Professional Pet Groomers Association that sets pet grooming business prerequisites, including safe business operations, emergency plans and a high level of animal care.

New guidelines regarding safety will be drawn up for go-kart businesses too.

To draft these regulations, MBPJ will work with the Youth and Sports Ministry as well as the Motorsport Association of Malaysia.