Waterfall Cafe Demolished, Settlement Offer Rejected, Issue Protracted Since 1990 - Chow

GEORGE TOWN, April 28 (Bernama) -- All active negotiations between the Penang State Government and affected stakeholders including Waterfall Cafe, here to find a fair and practical solution to the issue that has been going on since 1990, have failed, resulting in its demolition today.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said all vacate notices issued by the North East District Land Administrator, starting with the vacate notice on Jan 4, 2024, have not been complied with to date.

"Despite the rental arrears, the state government through the Northeast District and Land Office (PDTTL) has offered Waterfall Cafe several options to relocate and continue operations including two units in a multi-storey car park (commercial plaza) for the upcoming Bukit Bendera cable car project as well as a temporary site during the construction period.

"Unfortunately, these options were rejected without clear justification even though they were offered in good faith to support business continuity," he said in a statement today.

Chow informed that a coordination meeting on June 19, 2023 had agreed that Waterfall Cafe would relocate and settle the rental arrears, but the commitment was also not fulfilled.

He said the first eviction notice was issued on Jan 4, 2024 by PDTTL with several series of discussions starting on Feb 19, 2024 and the final notice on April 15, 2026 before being followed up with enforcement action today.

Earlier, the cafe located near the entrance to the Botanical Gardens was demolished by the authorities, thus triggering various reactions on social media and among local residents.

-- BERNAMA