MELAKA: Melaka Opposition leader Dr Mohd Yadzil Yaakub has questioned the state government on how large advertising structures are allowed to sprout illegally in the historic city.
The Bemban assemblyman said it was hard to accept the statement from state housing, local government and disaster management committee chairman Datuk Rais Yasin that the two large structures that collapsed on July 14 had no permits obtained from the local authority before they were built.
"The question now arises how those responsible for putting up the structures had bypassed Chief Minister Incorporated (CMI).
"CMI holds the exclusive rights for all advertisement materials in public areas since Jan 15, 2020," he said on Tuesday (July 16).
Dr Mohd Yadzil said that he believed there are standard operating procedures (SOPs) for contractors intending to instal large boards in the state.
"The onus is on CMI to ensure these structures comply with the SOPs, especially when put up next to main roads," he said, adding that the state government shouldn't shed its responsibility to ensure such structures are safe.
Rais had, on Monday (July 15) told Bernama, that the two large advertisement boards that crumbled after a strong wind swept across the historic city were illegal structures.
He also was quoted as saying that all four local authorities in the state will be asked to check on such structures to ensure that SOPs are adhered to as well as having permits to put up such boards.
A giant steel advertisement structure at Bandar Hilir and another large board in Bachang here collapsed after heavy rain and strong wind lashed the state on Sunday morning (July 14).
