Many cybercafe operators in Kuching who have long applied for licences are in a quandary as some local councils are interpreting a recent directive stopping the issuance of new licences differently.

They have already invested 'quite a lot of money' on rentals of premises, renovations and computers, as well as on workers, long before the state government introduced new rules and regulations about a year ago.

In April this year, the Ministry of Public Health of Environment which oversees local authorities, followed up with the directive effectively freezing new licences.

One of those affected by the move is Niaga Net which is located in the Batu Kawah New Township in Kuching.

"Our architect submitted the building plans more than two years and we actually received a letter of approval, informing us at the same time that a temporary permit would be issued," Bong Tze Hwang told malaysiakini.

"We paid the necessary prescribed fees for the temporary permit sometime in July last year," he added.

Three in PMC area

However, after new rules and regulations were introduced by the government to regulate the cybercafe business, the Padawan Municipal Council (which forms part of greater Kuching that includes areas under the jurisdiction of Kuching City North Commission and Council of Kuching City South), PMC decided to put on hold all outstanding applications.

To date, there are only three licenced cybercafes for the whole of PMC area, according to its secretary Hillary Mukit.

"The outstanding applications are put on hold because of the new directive," he admitted.

Niaga Net and several other cybercafes within the PMC's area of jurisdiction have, meantime, been given 60 days stop operating, failing which, it added, they would be fined heavily.

On the other hand, the Council of Kuching City South has been 'more accommodating' - it has approved all nine outstanding applications submitted long before the cut-off point in April, according to its deputy chairman Mohamad Amin Hassan.

"In fact there were 10 outstanding applications, but one applicant withdrew," he added.

According to him, the council will adhere strictly to the new directive by not issuing any new licences.

"Applicants are being discouraged," Mohamad Amin said, adding that as far as the council is concerned" we are quite comfortable with existing number of licensed cybercafes which we think is enough to meet the present needs."

No school kids, please

He added that the council's enforcement personnel would carry out periodic checks to ensure that operators comply with the rules and regulations.

Schoolchildren, he said, should be barred from going to cybercafes during school hours.

Among those who received their licences from MBKS recently was Nelson Chian of Cyber Zone, an internet-only cafe located at Central Park, Kuching, after a long wait of nearly three years.

Malaysiakini understands that not a single licence has been issued in Kuching City North, which covers most of the north bank opposite old Kuching, although many applications have been submitted.

"We understand that with the recent directive they are holding back issuing the licences," according to TK Tsai, proprietor of T1 Network and Services.

There are about 40 cybercafes in Kuching.