Penang’s fines for walkway obstruction are ineffective as businesses treat them as a cost, forcing pedestrians onto dangerous roads and blocking wheelchair access.
GEORGE TOWN: Fines meant to curb the obstruction of five-foot walkways in Penang are failing to deter offenders, with some businesses brazenly treating penalties as just another operating cost.
Despite ongoing enforcement, encroachment on pedestrian walkways remains widespread, raising serious safety concerns for the public, particularly persons with disabilities.
Penang Handicapped Welfare Association chairman Keng Kian Chai said fines have had limited impact as some operators continue to occupy five-foot walkways with little regard for regulations.
He said in certain cases, business owners have normalised penalties as part of their expenses.
“Some businesses continue using walkways and simply pay the fine when they get caught.”
Keng stressed that enforcement must be more consistent, with stiffer penalties imposed on repeat offenders.
He said shopfront walkways are meant for pedestrians and should not be used as extensions of business premises.
He added that commercial convenience must not come at the expense of public safety.
“In many cases, once the walkways are obstructed, they become too narrow and unusable. Wheelchairs can’t pass through, and it’s also unsafe for the visually impaired.
“When walkways are blocked people are forced onto roads, which is very dangerous.”
He said obstructions on walkways pose immediate risks not only to persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups but also to the general public, especially during bad weather.
Keng said the problem persists partly due to continued patronage.
“To some extent, customers are also contributing to this. If they continue to support these businesses, it indirectly encourages the behaviour.”
Society of Disabled Persons Penang president Datuk Teh Lay Kuan said many walkways were already inadequate for wheelchair users even before obstructions were added.
“The minimum width required for a wheelchair is three feet,” she said, adding that walkways must also be level and free of holes.
She proposed regular maintenance and inspections by local councils, with enforcement teams rotated every six months to improve oversight.
Aliran president Anil Netto said clearer guidelines and a comprehensive pedestrian masterplan are needed to address the issue.
“There should be guidelines for all local governments on what they should do to promote walking and cycling, especially in urban areas. They could also propose by-laws to improve walkability.”
Anil, a former Penang Transport Council member, said it is essential to hav a holistic plan linking pedestrian routes to public transport, alongside engagement with business owners.
“Public education should be carried out, showing how businesses can benefit from increased pedestrian traffic along their frontage.”
He added that enforcement alone would not resolve the problem without proper planning and awareness.
“The media could highlight examples from developed nations where safer walkways have led to more vibrant urban areas.”
