IT WAS none other than Petaling Jaya mayor Mohamad Zahri Samingon who led a city council operation against illegal billboards.
He was hoisted in a cherry picker to help tear down an advertisement along the Federal Highway.
Later, Mohamad Zahri issued a stern warning to vendors to respect the law.
“We are not trying to stop you from doing business, but the rules must be followed,” he said in a video posted on social media after the operation which started late Friday night.
The joint operation between Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), police and Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) involved some 50 personnel.
It was targeted at an illegal advertisement billboard at KM32.9 of the Federal Highway.
Mohamad Zahri said MBPJ, in collaboration with TNB, had cut off unauthorised electricity supply to the billboard on Aug 25.
However, the company had proceeded to use its own generator set to supply power to the billboard.
“We seized the generator set and issued a notice to the company on Aug 29, ordering it to take down the unlicensed advertising,” he said.
He added that the company violated Advertisement By-Law (MBPJ) 2007, Local Government Act 1976, Town and Country Planning Act 1976 and Electricity Supply Act 1990.
In a media statement, MBPJ said the company’s failure to comply with the notice had driven the city council to proceed with the operation on Sept 5.
The city council also said it received an advertisement licence application from the company on April 23.
“However, the application was incomplete because it did not include the billboard’s planning permission and structural permit, as required.
“MBPJ will not compromise with any party that violates the law.
“We will continue to step up enforcement to ensure that every advertisement displayed in the city complies with the regulations,” the city council said.
