Multiple infringements in KL’s back lanes

A DBKL officer checking on back lanes finds many illegal extensions put up by restaurants.

OWNERS of commercial shops in Kuala Lumpur who have installed unauthorised extensions and structures on their premises will be given a grace period to take them down or face enforcement action.

Following numerous complaints from agencies like waste regulator Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp), waste company Alam Flora and LA21 secretariat, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) issued notices to business owners who carried out extensions or built structures to their properties without approval.

StarMetro learned that SWCorp received numerous complaints from Alam Flora on difficulties faced in cleaning drains due to the obstructions by the eateries.

As a result, DBKL issued warning notices ordering owners to demolish the extensions or face the consequence.

An enforcement team has identified several hotspots in the city and Brickfields is one of the areas.

The area identified is the back alley of Jalan Thambipillay where officers found multiple infringements.

Shoplots, especially restaurants, have fixed grilles, built steps over drains, installed exhaust fans and sinks that take up a huge portion of the road and obstruct traffic.

Alam Flora contractors constantly complain about facing difficulties in gaining access to back roads due to these obstacles which affect their productivity.

A DBKL enforcement officer, who preferred anonymity, said all building owners had been notified about the demolition exercise.

“A meeting was held recently to prepare for the operation before a date is locked down for the demolition exercise.

“They (business owners) have been warned and we would prefer if they remove the extensions themselves, but we are not tolerating this (illegal extensions) any longer, ” he said.

Local Agenda 21 secretariat and coordinator A. Ghani Mohamed hoped that in the future DBKL would incorporate into its standard operating procedure (rules regarding application for licences) to ensure there were no infringements of rules and by-laws.

“Eateries that fail to instal grease traps and operators who carry out illegal extensions should not be allowed to have their business licences renewed when it expired.

“That way, those who have broken the rules can rectify their mistake by dismantling the illegal structures so they can get their licence renewed, ’’ Ghani said.

StarMetro took a stroll along the city’s back lanes and found hundreds of infringements in all manner and shape.

The illegal structures were indirectly or directly causing the drains to be clogged with gunk from fat, oil and grease as it was getting increasingly difficult to clean the drains.

There are many areas including Bangsar, Plaza Damansara and Sri Petaling where communities complained of illegal extensions, clogged drains and lack of grease traps by commercial units which have not been addressed by the authorities.

We saw drains that were cemented over and obstructions placed on them making it difficult for utility and waste companies to carry out cleansing work.

Some establishments like hotels even constructed steps at the back, while it was common to see caged compartments for gas tanks built by restaurants which are obstructions that take up space.

Even the illegally installed exhaust fans not done according to specification were seen.

In some places the fans were spewing water directly into the drains and messing up the area.