Bukit Bandaraya folk wants DBKL action against illegal renovations

• “There are multiple houses that have breached DBKL’s guidelines, including the lack of the mandatory setback, built-ups beyond the maximum permitted height and excessive number of storeys for the buildings as noted in the local plan.”

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 7): Residents of Bukit Bandaraya are calling on Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to take action against illegal renovations in their midst.

According to a report by The Star, scant action has been taken against such “violations of renovation guidelines”.

“We have taken the (Kuala Lumpur) mayor (Datuk Seri Mahadi Che Ngah) along with several other senior DBKL officers on repeated site visits in Bukit Bandaraya, Bangsar and several other locations to show them conditions on the ground,” Bukit Bandaraya Residents Association (BBRA) adviser Datuk M Ali told the daily.

“There are multiple houses that have breached DBKL’s guidelines, including the lack of the mandatory setback, built-ups beyond the maximum permitted height and excessive number of storeys for the buildings as noted in the local plan.

“Permitting such illegal construction poses a danger to the people in the neighbourhood,” he added.

Meanwhile, BBRA president Charles Tan told The Star that some of the commercial units were renovated to more than three storeys high and they end up blocking natural light and air.

“The air-conditioner compressors fixed at the back of the commercial lots blow hot air into the residents’ houses.

“One house owner even had to put up higher fencing as there was less than one metre of setback between his house and the commercial property behind it,” he revealed.

Ali and Tan said DBKL “must engage with stakeholders when matters were brought to their attention and that there must be follow-through”.

It was reported last month that members of the public can help DBKL curb any home renovations which may have “have deviated from the original building plan”.

Building Control Department director, Norizan Sulaiman said that anyone can go to DBKL to look at the original renovation plan of a property if it is suspected that it has “beyond the legal limit”.

“If you suspect that your neighbour’s renovation has gone beyond the limit, you can come to our office at DBKL Menara 2 in Jalan Raja Laut and request to see the renovation plan.

“You can bring along a professional architect or engineer to view the plan, but you cannot take a copy of the plan,” said Norizan.

She added that there are clear guidelines for the renovations of flats, condominiums, terrace houses, bungalows and commercial properties such as restaurants and factories.