KUALA Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has torn down illegal extensions on several streets in Bukit Bintang following an enforcement operation yesterday.
The demolitions took place along streets such as Jalan Angsoka and Jalan Bedara.
DBKL removed illegal structures including awnings and pavements that encroached on its reserved space for roads and drains, according to Kuala Lumpur advisory board member Andre Lai, who was present during the operation.
He told StarMetro that the structures had been there since the Covid-19 movement control order period.
“Besides encroaching on reserved spaces, people were also loitering under the illegally built awnings, causing noise and disturbance to the nearby community,” he said.
Some 103 personnel from various agencies such as DBKL, the police, Tenaga Nasional Bhd and Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd were involved in the operation which started at 10am.
Lai said notices had also been issued to premises along Jalan Berangan − a street near Jalan Angsoka − which had violated regulations on extensions.
“They will be given around one month to remove the structures before DBKL steps in with an enforcement exercise,” he said.
He suggested that DBKL come up with a guideline on building extensions, especially given that the area was a tourist hotspot.
“With a clear guideline, architects and city planners will know immediately how to plan the streets and structures so that creativity can be maintained without encroaching on reserved spaces,” he pointed out.
