GEORGE TOWN: A total of nine compound notices have been issued to escooter operators so far by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) for illegally providing the service.

       Mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang said four escooters were also seized following two operations conducted in February and April.

       "The issue of escooters has always been under the council's attention.

       "Such operations will continue to ensure public safety especially for motorists and pedestrians using the road," he told a press conference after the council's monthly meeting on Friday (April 22).

       He reiterated that at the moment, usage of escooters on the road was prohibited under Section 54 of the Road Transport Act 1987.

       It was reported that MBPP has intensified monitoring of escooter activities in the city following complaints from the public.

       In a Facebook statement on Monday (April 18), the council said the monitoring was being conducted at several hotspots in the George Town area focusing on reckless use of escooters.

       An operation was conducted from 11pm to 2am on Sunday (April 17) following a viral video on social media showing teenagers riding escooters recklessly at Lebuh Pantai at around 2am a few days ago.

       The council also noted that escooter activity on roads had become rampant of late and a meeting was held with the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and police to tackle the problem.

       It said so far, it had not issued any licences for escooters and was monitoring their usage as a matter of public safety.

       Penang police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain also confirmed that so far both the police and MBPP have not issued any licences to escooter operators in the state.

       "Police who are conducting the monitoring have warned and advised escooter rental operators as well as the public not to engage in activities that could violate the law.

       "We are worried that it (escooter activities) will endanger lives and the safety of other road users, and have even reminded users that the use of escooters is their own responsibility," he said.

       Comm Mohd Shuhaily said currently, escooters were prohibited on the road as it is an offence and reminded the renters of the micro-mobility vehicles of Section 3(1) of APJ 1987 where people are prohibited from using certain types of micro-mobility vehicles on any part of any road.