In a significant move towards promoting electric mobility and reducing carbon emissions, Malaysia has taken a leap forward with the introduction of comprehensive guidelines for electric vehicle charging bays (GPP EVCB). This initiative comes as part of the government’s commitment to improving the approval process for the construction of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, aiming to facilitate the growth of the electric vehicle (EV) market in the country. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced this development last month, and now, these guidelines are set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of EV charging in Malaysia.

The GPP EVCB Guidelines

The 74-page GPP EVCB document, released by the federal department of town and country planning (JPBD), is now available for viewing on PlanMalaysia’s myTOWN.net portal. These guidelines provide a comprehensive framework for state and local authorities, as well as stakeholders, to plan, design, and construct electric vehicle charging bays (EVCBs) in Malaysia. The document encompasses planning and design requirements for EVCBs in both existing and new buildings and developments, fire safety requirements, and local government procedures that need to be followed.

Key Highlights of the GPP EVCB Guidelines

Diverse Locations for EVCBs: The guidelines outline various locations where EVCBs can be installed, including strata and non-strata housing, industrial and commercial areas, institutions, petrol stations, and rest and service (R&R) areas. They can be placed both outside and inside buildings, including rooftop installations.

AC and DC Charger Placement: The guidelines differentiate between AC and DC chargers. For AC charging bays (up to 22kW rating), there are no placement limitations in multi-storey applications, allowing them to be built at all indoor parking levels. However, for DC chargers, specific placement restrictions apply in multi-storey buildings, prioritizing the ground and the first two upper levels for indoor installations. For basement parking, DC chargers are permitted only on the first level below ground, ensuring compliance with fire safety guidelines.

Safety and Accessibility: EVCBs must be situated away from stairs or emergency exits to avoid obstructing exit routes in case of emergencies. Additionally, the guidelines specify that EVCBs in new developments should be 2.5 meters wide and six meters long, with an additional meter in width for disabled-friendly charging bays.

Minimum EVCB Requirements: For new multi-storey residential and commercial developments, the guidelines mandate that a minimum of 2% of the total parking spaces be allocated as EVCBs. In residential developments, at least one EVCB must be provided in visitor parking, while in commercial developments, a minimum of one EVCB must be disabled-friendly. Furthermore, a minimum of one electric motorcycle charging bay per building is required for new developments, irrespective of residential or commercial use.

Existing Developments: While the guidelines provide clear instructions for new developments, they suggest that the number of EVCBs for existing developments should be based on demand, making it flexible for businesses and residential complexes to adapt to the evolving EV market.

Application and Approval Process: The GPP EVCB guidelines also lay out a streamlined process for application and approval, with a seven-day timeframe for AC chargers and a 14-day timeframe for DC chargers. The document details the procedural steps required for EVCB installations, simplifying the process for all stakeholders involved.

To find out more details, you can download the CPP EVCB document here.

Abandoned flats and apartments may soon be converted to workers’ hostels in Penang, as the state tries to ensure that foreign workers live among their own.

State housing committee chairman S Sundarajoo said Penang was also pushing for unsold or low-demand flats or homes in Seberang Perai to be converted to hostels for foreign workers.

He said some factories were already snapping up several blocks in Seberang Perai South, turning them into workers’ quarters, which he described as impressive.

“We are also looking at centralised labour quarters (CLQs) within factory premises. Can you imagine if we had this during Covid-19? In the long term, we would be able to control social issues,” he told reporters after opening the inaugural States’ Housing Symposium in Tanjung Bungah today.

The housing boards of Selangor, Melaka, Johor, Pahang, Terengganu and Sarawak are taking part in a two-day conference to share the best practices from their states.

Sundarajoo also reiterated Penang’s stance in acting against those who rent out affordable or low-cost units to third parties.

He said this went against the spirit of offering such homes to the low-income group, and that the sales and purchase agreements of such units were being tweaked to ensure enforcement of such rentals.

He also said the state legal adviser was looking into claims that developers were forcing extra features on first-time buyers of affordable homes, adding that such developers would be blacklisted from carrying out future projects in Penang.

Source: FMT Online

Penang state government will be putting a stop to low-cost and low-medium-cost housing owners from renting out their units.

State housing exco Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo said these affordable housing units are heavily subsidised and are only meant for those who can’t afford expensive homes.

“Someone has to put their feet down to enforce this and stop people from renting out low-cost housing to others,” he told reporters after launching a housing symposium at Mercure Hotel in Tanjung Bungah here.

He said these low-cost housing are meant for the poor to live in and not for others to enjoy.

“I understand that when they rent it out to some factories, they can get rental of RM1,000 or more and use it to rent other places outside for half the price and keep the balance as extra income,” he said.

He said this is not the purpose of low-cost housing being approved for those who can’t afford homes.

“I stress that these heavily subsidised housing are for them and their family to use, they cannot rent it out, whether to locals or foreigners,” he said.

He said he will discuss with the local government development ministry to amend the sales and purchase agreement (SPA) to resolve this issue.

“At the state level, we will come up with our own enforcement action, we will be presenting papers to the state exco in the next few weeks,” he said.

He said there are already social problems arising from many of these units being rented out to foreign workers.

Meanwhile, Sundarajoo said there are factories that have rented up whole blocks of vacant low-cost and low-medium housing units to be converted into foreign workers’ quarters.

“In South Seberang Perai, there are low-cost housing units in remote areas and most of these are vacant, so factories have rented up blocks of these projects,” he said.

He said he is working with the local government state exco Jason Hn’g to convert blocks of vacant low-cost and low medium-cost units into hostels for foreign workers.

“It will be a very practical, clean and healthy solution to housing the foreign workers,” he said.

He said suitable projects for such schemes include those in remote areas that are vacant and some that currently have more than 70 per cent of units occupied by foreign workers

“We target blocks like this to be converted for workers and let factories rent the whole block,” he said.

He said this can be done in an orderly and controlled manner

He said there are low-cost projects that were built in remote areas due to low land costs and this resulted in low sales of these units.

In the long term, Sundarajoo said they are studying ways for centralised workers’ quarters to be built within the factory’s premises.

“We are looking at allocating a corner in industrial parks for this purpose,” he said.

Source: MalayMail.com

The much-awaited Astaka Hillside Tanjung Bungah is expected to begin its operation on Oct 15.

Previously, the original Astaka Hillside Tanjung Bungah food court was ravaged by a fire in November 2020.

Subsequently, the Penang government announced plans for a new food court on the same site with an estimated cost of RM3.5 million.

The brand new Astaka Hillside Tanjung Bungah food court boosts an attractive design, multi-functional facilities and is disabled-friendly.

Penang Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari, who is also the Tanjong Bunga assemblyman, said the new food court already received a Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC) in September this year.

“The tenants there are currently in the process of applying for utilities (water and electricity) for their shops.

“They now just waiting for the installation of water and electricity, which is expected to be carried out this week,” he told Buletin Mutiara when contacted today.

Meanwhile, one of the locals, Lim Pei Jun, 29, said she welcomed the news as she was one of the regular patrons previously.

“When it was still open, I used to enjoy ice kacang and other food like chicken rice there. It was very good back then.

“I hope when the food court reopens, the old tenant will be back so that I can still savour the same flavours once again.

“Thank you to the state government as well for constructing this improved food court compared to the old one,” she said.

As for another local, Alex Tan, 33, he cannot wait for the new food court to reopen.

“I hope the prices will be very affordable just like the old times so that many people will come to enjoy the variety of food.

“At the same time, I hope there will be some additional parking lots as the current parking area is limited.

“After all, more parking lots will prevent illegal parking in nearby residential areas,” he said.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

In George Town, a new ray of hope has emerged for the homeless community in the form of a transit centre that provides warm meals and temporary shelter. The centre, located in Jalan CY Choy, has quickly become a lifeline for individuals like Khairul Taib and Lee Chong Kim, who have fallen on hard times due to various circumstances.

Khairul Taib, a 39-year-old former security guard, found himself without a job in April of this year. His search for employment proved challenging, primarily because of the high rental costs in the city. Fortunately, the transit centre stepped in to provide him with a temporary place to stay, allowing him to focus on finding work and getting back on his feet. Khairul’s story is not unique, as many in the homeless community share similar struggles.

Lee Chong Kim, a 70-year-old resident of Queen Street, faces his own set of challenges. Living on welfare assistance, Lee struggles to make ends meet, particularly because of the high rent he must pay. His regular visits to the transit centre for meals ensure that he receives proper nutrition, which is essential for his well-being. The centre has become a place for Lee to connect with others in similar circumstances, alleviating the loneliness that can often accompany homelessness.

The newly established RM4.4 million homeless transit centre, fully funded by the state government and built by the Penang Island City Council, opened its doors on September 1st. Located near the iconic Komtar building along Magazine Road, this centre serves as both a shelter and a hub for training and intervention. Its primary goal is to empower homeless individuals with skills and resources that will enable them to secure employment and eventually find permanent housing through government public housing projects.

The centre features 88 beds, divided into separate male and female dorms, each equipped with private lockers and cubicle bathrooms. Accessibility is a priority, with dorms for the disabled available on the ground floor. Currently, the centre serves 47 registered individuals for daily meals, including those living nearby and the homeless.

Lim Siew Khim, the committee chairman for social development, welfare, and non-Islamic religious affairs, emphasized that the mission extends beyond aiding those currently living on the streets. Preventative measures are essential, and the provision of free meals helps at-risk individuals maintain their health and energy levels, reducing the likelihood of them becoming homeless in the first place. The centre collaborates with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and corporate sponsors to provide meals, ensuring that there is a backup plan for days when sponsorship is unavailable.

Furthermore, the centre is actively working on partnerships with the state Health Department and additional NGOs to offer regular health screenings for the homeless. Lim Siew Khim called on the private sector and NGOs to contribute to the cause, emphasizing that collective efforts can lead to significant change. She also highlighted that donating directly to homeless individuals on the street can sometimes exacerbate the issue and lead to food waste, making the transit centre a more efficient and sustainable choice for those who want to help.

(Image source: TheStar.com.my)