A CRACKDOWN by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) that saw the demolition of illegal structures like concrete planter boxes, awnings and seating decks along Jalan Medan Setia 1, Bukit Damansara, has sparked outrage.
Business owners are upset over what they describe as heavy-handed tactics and lack of communication by the authorities.
One of the affected business owners who did not want to be named argued that the extensions were intended to improve the area’s appearance and cleanliness.
“The planter boxes and awnings in some shops were meant to beautify the space.
“They enhanced the walkway and added greenery, which benefitted both customers and the community,” she said.
“DBKL should have engaged with us first instead of resorting to demolition.”
A restaurant operator who only wanted to be identified as Abidin was disappointed with the lack of communication from DBKL prior to the demolition.
DBKL officers checking a seating deck obstructing a walkway. — Courtesy photos
“We took over the shop from previous owners and the extensions were already there. In fact, they had been in place since the building’s construction.”
“There should have been proper engagement with us.
“We are not a small stall; we are a business worth millions of ringgit. This could have been handled better,” added Abidin.
S. Mani, another affected business owner, criticised the operation as unnecessary and excessive.
“This was nothing but senseless destruction. Everything could have been resolved with proper engagement.
Another business owner Anna Wong alleged that roadside stalls were left untouched while their legitimate businesses that paid taxes were targeted.
“We’re trying to maintain and improve the area, yet they come down hard on us,” she added.
The joint operation involved 162 personnel from DBKL and various agencies, including the police, Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Air Selangor, SWCorp and Alam Flora.
The affected areas were Jalan Medan Setia 1 and nearby lanes.
Lorries, tractors and other departmental vehicles were utilised to remove the illegal structures.
DBKL enforcement officers, who carried out the two-day operation starting Wednesday, defended the move, stating that the structures obstructed a public walkway.
Its Enforcement Department spokesperson told StarMetro that the obstructions hindered cleaning efforts by waste management company Alam Flora.
“Several businesses constructed illegal structures outside their premises including planter boxes and awnings.
“The structures may be aesthetically pleasing but they blocked public pathways and made it difficult for maintenance and cleaning of drains to be carried out.”
DBKL maintained that notices for the operation were issued and owners should have been aware.
It cited Section 46(1)(d) of Street, Drainage, and Building Act 1974 and the Kuala Lumpur Hawker By-Laws 2016 as the legal basis for the enforcement.
