Spa, massage centre licence applications in JB frozen from today

The Johor Bahru City Council (MBJB) has frozen all applications for business licences for spas, traditional treatments or massages, and reflexology, effective today.

Mayor Mohd Noorazam Osman said this was to control the proliferation of businesses deemed as high-risk and sensitive.

He added that the decision, reached during the Licencing Committee meeting on Jan 17, was comprehensive, and covered applications for such businesses in shop premises, hotel buildings, and commercial or shopping complexes.

“The move to freeze licence applications for high-risk and sensitive businesses is to allow the MBJB to re-plan and rebrand these business activities, to be on par with those in developed countries and in line with MBJB’s image.

“Accordingly, MBJB will develop and issue a guideline for these high-risk and sensitive business activities,” he said.

Noorazam (above) was speaking at a press conference after the launching of GeoJB Portal 3.0, in conjunction with the 30th anniversary of the MBJB Declaration celebration.

He said any application for a business licence which was not approved as of yesterday was given deferred status until applications are reopened, at a time to be determined by the council.

He said an estimated 15 applications for business licences for spas, traditional treatments or massages, and reflexology are received by MBJB every month.

There are a total of 151 licensed establishments in the MBJB administrative area so far, Noorazam said.

The mayor added that MBJB also discovered 43 business premises that have breached licence conditions, including operating in unsuitable zones or without a licence, and all have been seized.

“The zones where massage, spa, and reflexology practices are allowed to open should be in shopping centres and hotels, as they have suitable operating hours.

“The permanent licence fee for the business premises is only RM800 per year, while the temporary licence costs RM1,400.

“Many people apply for a licence because the demand for tourism is very high.

“However, at the same time, we do not want any immoral activities to take place behind these premises,” he said.

- Bernama

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