Saturday November 4, 2006
MB: If Zakaria’s house is torn down, what about the others?
By LOONG MENG YEE, EDWARD RAJENDRA
KLANG: Let’s be realistic – there are a lot of buildings in Selangor built without proper local council approval. That is the frank opinion of Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo.
“I have been told I must be fair; to act without fear or favour. If so, then these properties and building extensions are also subject to demolition,” Dr Khir told reporters yesterday.
“Such properties include temples and even the headquarters of political parties. If I go strictly by the book instead of taking into account public interest and racial harmony, imagine the outcry if I were to execute the demolition orders.”
Dr Khir said his state government has long known about the existence of many properties, building extensions and even 5,000 factories constructed without obtaining all the approvals from local councils.
However, he said, enforcement action had been selective because the state wanted to be a friendly government, and not execute drastic measures that might cause hardship for the rakyat.
Unless a property or building extension was a safety threat; hindered traffic or posed a danger to the public, local councils had been quite tolerant about not taking action although they were illegally constructed.
“Datuk Zakaria (Md Deros) is not the only person who had constructed a house without getting all the approvals first.
“I have been told I should not practise double standard. If his house is demolished, can all others in the same predicament accept the demolition of their properties?
“I have received many calls from the public, saying this place, or that, the neighbour’s extension has no building plan approval, should I demolish them?” asked Dr Khir at the Hari Raya open house organised by the Klang Municipal Council (MPK) at Dewan Hamzah here yesterday.
He was commenting on calls by certain quarters insisting that Zakaria’s mansion in Kampung Idaman be demolished for being constructed without MPK approval.
Dr Khir said Zakaria must pay the fines for flouting certain local council building laws.
He said he wanted all local councils to start checking on properties. Those found flouting laws would be dealt with.
When asked about the fate of Zakaria’s other properties that were in violation of laws such as the DZ Satay House which was built on state land without approval, Dr Khir said Zakaria was subject to investigations by the responsible authorities.
On Zakaria’s move to withdraw from the council post only after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi issued advice, Dr Khir said Zakaria had submitted his letter before the Nov 8 deadline.
“Some have said I was indecisive over the matter. Yes, I could have just revoked the appointment.
“But it is better for him to withdraw, which he eventually did – that is good, because we do not want to be an inconsiderate government,” he said.
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