MPSP old premises for rent

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THE five-storey Seberang Prai Municipal Council former headquarters and four other buildings within its compound on Jalan Datuk Haji Ahmad Said in Butterworth are being put up for rent.

Municipal councillor Soon Lip Chee said the council’s Revenue Enhancement Committee decided to rent out the buildings after failing to get anyone to buy them.

“The particular buildings have been vacant since 2006 when the council shifted its headquarters to its present premises in Bandar Perda, Bukit Mertajam.

“Since then, the council received a few interested buyers, but somehow, the deals did not go through,” he said after visiting the buildings yesterday.

Soon said many of the interested buyers wanted the council to renew the 60-year lease on the building, which would expire on Nov 2, 2041, but the council could not accommodate their requests.

Strategic location: A banner advertising the old council buildings for rent. Present (from left) are MPSP counsillors Oon, Soon and Chandrasekaran

He said those who wished to rent the buildings were not required to pay premium on the lease.

“The council has set a minimum rental of RM16,000 per month for the old headquarters building and RM11,700 per month for a double-storey annex building.

“The person who submits the highest rental bid will be picked as the successful tenant,” he said.

Soon said a double-storey building, formerly occupied by the council Legal Department was available at a minimum rent of RM6,800 per month.

He said another double-storey building, formerly occupied by the council Enforcement Unit and Community Department, was available at a minimum rent of RM3,300 per month.

A single-storey canteen building, he added, was available at a minimum rent of RM2,000 per month.

Soon said interested parties could submit their written applications with the words ‘Application to Rent MPSP headquarters in Butterworth’ on the top left side of their envelopes to the council before noon on Nov 24.

Fellow councillor S. Chandrase-keran said colleges, logistics com-panies, hoteliers, legal firms and other companies should consider moving into the buildings.

“These buildings are strategically located in the heart of Butterworth town.

“It has easy access to the North Butterworth Container Terminal, several hotels and eateries in the neighbourhood,” he said.