The gastrobar owner says it is in the midst of sound-proofing the premises. — SHAARI CHEMAT/The Star
RESIDENTS in Section 16, Petaling Jaya, Selangor are urging the city council to take sterner action against a gastrobar operator for blasting music into the wee hours of the morning.
They called for the gastrobar to be shut down because their sleep had been affected and their pleas to the owner to turn down the music had not been successful.
About 25 affected residents from Section 16 had also signed a petition of complaint against the gastrobar for causing noise disturbances to their neighbourhood.
A resident, who declined to be named, said the problems started about two months ago when the recently opened gastrobar played music at 11.30pm.
“The sound was so loud, I could hear it from inside my house.
“One of my worst experiences was when the gastrobar blasted music at 1.15am and I could feel my awning and windows vibrating,” she complained.
The resident added that she made a formal complaint via Petaling Jaya City Council’s (MBPJ) e-aduan portal on July 16 and July 18 about the noise after her request to the gastrobar owner to turn down the music was ignored.
“We have complained to the police and the authorities checked on the premises, but the loud music continued after they left.
‘“MBPJ officers had also checked on the bar and issued them a summons but the problem still persisted after a month,” she said.
Cake artist Marina Miow, 41, said her family was affected by the noise.
“My in-laws and son’s room are facing the restaurant and they can hear the noise when they go to bed.
“At times, it can go on until 3am and the music beats are clearly audible at night when we switch off the television.
“I am a light sleeper so I get disturbed by the music, especially on weekends,” she said.
When contacted, Section 16 councillor Chang She Yun confirmed that MBPJ had issued a summons to the gastrobar.
“The council is also in the midst of investigating and monitoring the gastrobar,” she said.
The gastrobar owner, who declined to be named, said he was in the midst of sound-proofing the place.
“We haven’t got any information of residents complaining, only one person had complained to us,” he said.
When contacted, an MBPJ spokesperson said the council had on Aug 19 cancelled the “Kad Akuan Premis” that permitted entertainment activity in the establishment.
Kad Akuan Premis is a card allowing the owner to run its entertainment activity for three months while it waits for its entertainment licence to be approved.
“The establishment had violated the licence’s guidelines for operating beyond the allowed time which is 1am.
“At the same time, the council also issued a compound for the said offence,” he said.
The spokesperson added that the owner was, however, allowed to operate the restaurant as the establishment had a temporary premises licence.
StarMetro visited the complainant’s house on Aug 12 at 10.30pm and the music could be heard from inside the house.
On the same day, three officers from MBPJ Health Services and Environment Department were also present to measure the noise level at the complainant’s house.
According to one of the officers, MBPJ followed the Department of Environment’s (DOE) guidelines for environmental noise and control.
“For the Suburban, Urban Residential and Mixed Development category, permissible levels after 10pm are 60 decibels.
“Initial investigation found that the bar had exceeded 60 decibels and the final report will be submitted to the department for further review,’’ he said.
