The Malaysian Insight

A BAR owner in Penang’s Unesco heritage city is urging the state authorities to allow businesses like his on Love Lane to offer live band performances at their premises.

Kelvin D. Loovi, 47, recently got into trouble for allowing musicians to perform in his bar without an entertainment licence.

Last month, police paid him a visit over the licence issue, and two days ago he was fined RM3,500 by the court for running his bar without an entertainment licence.

“I didn’t have so much money at the time, so I ended up in handcuffs and spent some time in the lockup. That was a first for me,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Under the George Town Unesco World Heritage Site Special Area Plan (SAP), which was gazetted in 2016, no new entertainment licences will be issued by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP).

Loovi said that several other businesses like his on Love Lane and Lebuh Chulia nearby also received MBPP notices that no new entertainment licences will be issued, and they are not allowed to have live music at their premises.

“If we don’t follow the regulation, the council can confiscate our equipment and we risk facing two years’ jail and RM20,000 fine.

“I have tried many times to get a licence and to ask the authorities to reconsider this policy. Playing an acoustic guitar cannot be bad for the heritage site.”

Loovi said live music at places like his was good for business and the area itself because tourists and customers loved the live performances by talented musicians.

He said businesses like his would die slowly without live bands playing music.

“Some 80% of the people who have come to my bar comment on Facebook and TripAdvisor how they enjoyed the live music. They were impressed that a small bar like mine could feature talented musicians.

“I have had to disappoint some customers, telling them there is no more live music.”

Loovi also said this policy could affect the livelihoods of musicians who depended on businesses like his to pay them for performances.

“We are only interested in discovering talented musicians who can draw people to come and appreciate good music. We want to give them a platform to grow their talents and music. We don’t care for nightclubs, techno joints, or drugs.

“Allow us to get the licences to do this, or we will be looking at a slow death without the music,” Loovi said, adding that the city of Malacca – another Unesco world heritage site – did not have such a policy.

“Jonker Street is also part of the heritage site (in Malacca), but the bars there have entertainment licenses.”

He added that he hoped to be able to take this issue up with the state government, including the chief minister himself.

“A last resort will be using social media,” said Loovi.

Asked about the policy, MBPP councillor Ahmad Azrizal Tahir said that if the business had obtained an entertainment licence before the SAP was gazetted, it could still carry on with its entertainment activities in the heritage zone.

“We have to follow the SAP for the core zone now. We may be able to give some considerations for the buffer zone.”

On the notices issued to the businesses on Lebuh Chulia and Love Lane, he said it was to ensure the business owners were aware of the policy.

MBPP mayor Yew Tung Seang said the SAP provided different zones in the heritage city for different types of businesses and activities.

“The heritage core zone has specific zonings for enterprises, hotels, entertainment outlets, and so on. For those who applied after the SAP was implemented, we are sorry, but we have to follow the zoning,” he said.

Under the SAP, entertainment licences can still be issued for businesses on Upper Penang Road and Jalan Penang, as well as hotels and shopping malls.

However, Yew said if there was a need, a review could be done.

“The SAP is now being revised with the public invited to give their feedback. We welcome people to express and share their views,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

The review was announced late last year and public feedback was collected until the end of January. The completed review will be submitted to Unesco.

However, those who want to give their views on the SAP can still do so. The survey form is still available on the George Town World Heritage Incorporated website.

Completed forms can be sent to GTWHI or emailed to rozaini@gtwhi.com.my or hijas@gtwhi.com.my.