The corner unit in Jalan Gempita 3 that was rebuilt for commercial use instead of residential.
THE authorities have taken action against the owner of several commercial buildings in Taman Salak Selatan in Kuala Lumpur, who for several years had illegally built structures on government reserve land.
The owner also violated multiple Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) by-laws and put several residents living close to the illegal structures in danger.
These buildings are located on Jalan Gempita 3 and 7.
Residents living nearby told StarMetro that the illegal structures had negatively affected them.
The residents association brought the issue to the authorities’ attention. Seputeh MP Teresa Kok visited the site with then Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Mahadi Che Ngah who said he would highlight it to the Kuala Lumpur land office. Current mayor Datuk Kamarulzaman Mat Salleh had also said he would look into the matter.
DBKL took action against the owner and ordered the structures to be demolished.
The owner violated the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 for constructing a warehouse on a residential unit on Jalan Gempita 3.
Paramasivam is upset over lack of enforcement by DBKL on errant property owners.
DBKL’s corporate communications unit said in a statement, “A permit was issued for a two-storey residential unit on June 24, 2022, but the owner built a warehouse instead at the site.
“A stop-work order was issued on Nov 2, 2022, but the owner ignored the order and continued with construction.
“We are now preparing the investigation papers and once completed, the case will be referred to the deputy public prosecutor’s office for the next course of action,” the statement added.
However, some residents are not celebrating just yet.
“I will believe it when I see it,’’ said Taman Salak South Residents Association chairman Paramasivam Govindasamy, referring to DBKL’s promised enforcement action.
“I have seen the closure notices and stop-work orders issued by the authorities before, when we lodged complaints, but there is still no follow-up action.
“The owner would just remove the notices and resume work.”Residents want clarification from DBKL and the Federal Territories Land and Mines office (PTGWP) on how commercial buildings were allowed to be constructed on sites that were meant for residential houses and on government reserve land.
Another resident, See Kim Piow, was also baffled as to why no action was taken by DBKL after the officers visited the site and took photos.
See says the illegal structure in Jalan Gempita 7 is a fire hazard.
“We held protests a few years ago when the first building went up just a few metres away from Jalan Gempita 3, and even then there was no action taken.
“The building on Jalan Gempita 7 is illegal,” See said, adding that a fire broke out at the premises in 2021 and it took seven trucks from the Fire and Rescue Department to put out the fire.
Resident Brian Lee said, “There were no fatalities but even then, the authorities did not do anything and the owner just started rebuilding the structures.
He said residents were worried about their safety as the commercial premises were located adjacent to residential homes.
In 2021, the owner decided to buy a corner residential unit in Jalan Gempita 3 and submitted a building plan to demolish the single-storey house and rebuild a two-storey unit in its place.
However, the owner then encroached onto public drains and road reserve in the area during construction.
As a result, DBKL issued a stop-work order to the owner, but this was ignored and the owner proceeded to build another commercial structure.
It is learned that the unit is almost ready and “For Rent” signs are up.
When StarMetro called the number, the realtor said the unit was not for residential usage but for commercial purposes to house a tuition centre or a kindergarten.
“We don’t have rooms here; it’s more for education-type businesses,” he said, quoting a monthly rental of RM5,000.
Meanwhile, regarding the warehouse that was built on Jalan Gempita 7, PTGWP said in a statement to StarMetro they had issued three notices to the owner to vacate the premises.
“We issued notices to the owner on July 30, 2018, Feb 21, 2021 and May 23, 2022.
“The owner has no permit or TOL (Temporary Occupation Licence) and as far as we are concerned, the owner is trespassing on government land,” PTGWP stated.
