An excavator tearing down an awning that was erected without permit at a stationery store in Chinatown.
ILLEGAL structures obstructing back lanes and pedestrian walkways at several locations in Kuala Lumpur have been demolished in the largest such operation by authorities this year.
A 300-strong team led by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) with agencies such as the police, Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) and Air Selangor conducted the operation last Saturday.
Several excavators were brought in to tear down the structures.
At one location, a covered roof erected illegally by a food court operator in the back lanes of Jalan Pudu was demolished by DBKL.
The roof also had an awning extended to the five-foot walkway of Jalan Pudu.
StarMetro had on July 8, highlighted the growing presence of illegal stalls in Chinatown, particularly at a food court that erected structures in the back lanes, without permit.
Complainants had voiced concerns that the structures such as food stalls and cabinets had blocked their back lanes and potential escape routes in the event of a fire.
They also highlighted hygiene and health issues, noting that food traders had dirtied the back lanes and clogged the drains with food waste.
It was discovered that the food court operator had tapped into the electricity supply from the street lights. TNB disconnected it during the operation.
DBKL officers were also seen carting away furniture such as tables, chairs, stall structures and ceiling fans.
Kuala Lumpur Advisory Board member Andre Lai said the operation was the largest conducted by DBKL and other agencies to tackle illegal structures in Chinatown this year.
“The food court and illegal structures are blocking the back doors of shoplots, posing potential safety threats to shopowners and customers alike.
“In the case of the food court, DBKL issued two notices two months ago to evict traders operating stalls in the back lanes and ordered them to tear down the illegal structures. This was ignored,” he said.
Lai said the authorities were serious about addressing illegal structures in Chinatown, which could mar the image of the site that was a tourist attraction.
During the operation, authorities came across a wooden shack built by the food court operator to accommodate their workers.
The operator was seen begging DBKL officers for leniency and more time to dismantle it.
“DBKL has torn down the awning that extended to the sidewalk of Jalan Pudu.
“We are giving the operator a week to dismantle the remaining illegal structures.
“If they fail to do so, DBKL will return to demolish them,” said Lai.
DBKL also demolished the illegal awnings erected by a stationery shop along Jalan Sultan, and illegal structures set up by a food trader along Jalan Pudu.
Premises and stall owners who erected illegal structures can be charged under Section 46 of the Street, Drainage, and Building Act 1974.
Upon conviction, they shall be liable to a fine not exceeding RM500, and in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding RM1,000.
