The Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) is under fire again after a resident of a gated community questioned why it has failed to act on an alleged illegal motel business in the vicinity despite several complaints being lodged four years ago.

Tan Kim Seng, the principal of an IT training centre, questioned if an “invisible hand” is behind the alleged illegal motel operator as he was allowed to carry on his business despite disturbing the peace in the neighbourhood.

He queried the effectiveness of the Penang government’s CAT (competency, accountability and transparency) policy when it failed to address the “rakyat’s problems” such as his.

Tan said MPPP had attempted to act against the alleged culprit three times but failed, although he (Tan) has handed over photos and a CCTV recording to the council as evidence to back his claims that his neighbour’s house is used as an illegal motel.

He had even sought the help of a friend to make a booking for a room in the motel and the latter had received an SMS confirmation that the rate is RM78 per night.

“He (Tan’s neighbour) is allowed to carry on his business despite erecting illegal structures like a kitchen at the back of the house, a wall against my house without my permission, and 12 rooms despite applying to build only nine,” said Tan, 49, who lives in a six-room, three-storey terrace house in Sunway Bukit Gambier.

"The constant comings and goings of tenants, especially at night, tour buses, cars that sometimes block my front gate and a high pressure water pump has caused us sleepless nights,” Tan lamented.

“The disturbances are so serious that it made us resort to sleeping pills. Look at the eye-bags under my wife’s eyes,” he said, pointing to his spouse who accompanied him during a press conference this morning.

His wife, Irene Neau, 50, showed the press the sleeping pills she had been taking since the problem with the neighbour started, adding “It is a very painful experience”.

Tan said after lodging several online (e-aduan) complaints to MPPP, he was told that his neighbour had been issued a notice to tear down the illegal structures.

“However, the structures are all still around,” Tan noted.

Tan said he has approached former Batu Uban assemblyperson S Raveentharan for help, but despite being “helpful”, no help was forthcoming.

“Perhaps he took a wrong approach,” said Tan, who also attempted to set up a meeting with Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng but failed.

Claiming not to be affiliated to any political party, nor wishing to politicise the matter, Tan admitted that he had previously in 2010 sought MCA’s help to highlight his woes, but no solution has been reached.

Homestay a lucrative business

It is understood that the homestay or residential motel business is a lucrative one on touristy Penang island.

Tan expressed disappointment that he had relocated from Kuala Lumpur to live in Penang as he thought a Pakatan Rakyat-led government would handle things better.

“Guan Eng was my idol but is now no longer, the good impression we earlier had about him is slowly eroding,” said Tan.

MPPP building director Yew Tung Seang, who is directly handling the case, was not available for comment as he is away on a business trip to China.

However, in January, Yew had told the media that his department was aware of the matter and his officers were monitoring the situation.

Yew had also said that the house owner could be penalised in court if proven to be running an illegal motel business.