GEORGE TOWN – The contentious issue of hosting centralised labour quarters (CLQs) to house migrant workers in Penang has entered the state assembly again, this time causing a tense exchange between an opposition representative and an executive councillor on the impacts of these facilities on the local community.
The exchange began when Mohamad Shukor Zakariah (Pulau Betong-PN) said that the state government needed to listen to the public's voices and grievances when it comes to public opposition to having CLQs built in their backyard.
Shukor then pointed towards a written reply given to him on the topic, which stated that the negative effects of having these hostels include disturbances, discomfort to local residents, and clashes of culture and customs.
“I can't find the positive… Say it, what does the rakyat get to gain from (these CLQs)?” asked Shukor in a supplementary question posed to Local Government and Town and Country Planning executive councillor Jason H’ng Mooi Lye (Jawi-PH).
“Can the executive councillor say how many residents have agreed to this project?
In response, H’ng said that all CLQs projects can only be carried out following a social impact assessment (SIA) report prepared by the developer. The report will be considered when presenting planning permission.
The local government would then look into the SIA report for a decision to be made in the One Stop Centre (OSC) committee meeting.
“I would like to ask or challenge Pulau Betong, would you (prefer) to have these migrant workers roaming around the neighbourhoods or live next to you?
“Would you be okay with that? This is the positive – where we can gather (the migrant workers) and house them in a CLQ which is more organised,” added H’ng.
Shukor’s concerns were triggered by the CLQ project proposed in Teluk Kumbar, which would house up to 32,000 workers.
However, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (Padang Kota-PH) interjected, saying that the mentioned project did not get the go-ahead as Zantalite Enterprise (M) Sdn Bhd – a company which planned to construct a CLQ there – had retracted its planning permission application last year.
Mitigation measures in place
Separately, H’ng said that mitigation measures are undertaken by the local government to address public discontent with migrant workers, especially those married to locals who run businesses that compete with locally owned businesses.
For example, the Seberang Perai City Council’s (MBSP) rules allow only local spouses of migrants to run the business, and bar local spouses who obtain business operating licenses from allowing their migrant spouses to run these businesses.
H’ng also said that the state government has been fair in addressing public concerns about issues caused by migrant workers, such as actions taken by local authorities under the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 regarding the Usage of Workers' Hostel Buildings if they were proven to have committed offences.
“Notices and compounds are issued under the Town and Country Planning Act and Act 171 (Local Government Act 1976) where there were any disturbances, noise problems, failure to ensure cleanliness, and crowded hostels,” he added.
The issue of hosting CLQs near neighbourhoods has been longstanding in the state, which has a vastly growing manufacturing sector that heavily relies on a migrant workforce.
Last November, Scoop reported that residents in Juru protested a proposed 32-storey CLQ planned near their Taman Cendana neighbourhood.
Residents argue that these CLQs should be built near industrial areas. However, Chow said that it is not feasible to build these complexes within industrial parks, as foreign workers also have human rights. – May 21, 2025
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