THE Penang government is offering a 90% discount on the infrastructure development fee for all care centres starting now.
State Youth and Sports, Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Chong Eng said the conversion fee was meant for the change of residential units to all types of care centres, including childcare and nursing homes.
She said the decision was made after a recent state executive council meeting, adding that the discount was to encourage the legalisation of unregistered care centres that were currently operating in the state.
“The discount is valid for a period of one year until Sept 14 next year.
“However, it is only applicable for care centres which have already sent in their applications to the local government and began operating before Sept 15 this year,” she said in a statement.
Chong said she hoped more care centre operators would now register with the Social Welfare Department.
She said the move would benefit those receiving the care as they would be protected under the Malaysian Child Care Center Act 1984, Care Centres Act 1993 and the 1994 Care Centre Regulations.
“Enforcement action will be taken against childcare and care centres which continue to operate without a valid licence after Sept 14 next year,” said Chong Eng.
