'Datuk Seri' will be hauled to court if illegal structures remain after July 13, says MBPJ

PETALING JAYA: Court action will be initiated against the "Datuk Seri" from Tropicana Indah if he fails to remove illegal structures placed outside his house by July 13, says the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).

An MBPJ spokesman said its building control department would take action under the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 in the case of the "influential" house owner in the upmarket neighbourhood who had broken city council rules and disregarded three stop-work order notices issued by MBPJ on May 8, 10 and 11.

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The spokesperson said that the "Datuk Seri" concerned had sent a formal letter of undertaking saying he would remove the water tank and air-conditioner compressors placed over a drain by July 13.

On June 23, The Star reported that the house owner had appealed to MBPJ for a deadline extension to remove the illegal structures.

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"Under the law, the house owner will be given two notices – a 14-day notice (to comply with the order) and a 30-day notice to remove the compressors and water tank.

"If he doesn't remove it by July 13, we will take him to court or physically remove it ourselves after consulting relevant internal and external departments.

"This issue is not a matter of 'giving him a chance', we have to follow procedure and cannot just bulldoze our way in," said the spokesman.

Meanwhile, Petaling Jaya Mayor Mohamad Azhan Md Amir said MBPJ would carry out stricter enforcement on people who litter indiscriminately in public areas.

He said any individual found guilty could be fined RM1,000 under the MBPJ Rubbish Collection and Disposal by-laws 2007.

He was asked to comment on a report by StarMetro on June 28 about the Astaka Sports Complex and field which was left filled with litter after a community football tournament organised by MBPJ on June 25.

"The football teams were from 24 zones under the city council.

"We will carry out stricter enforcement to ensure the area is clean in future," he said after launching the new Bandar Utama 11 community hall in Petaling Jaya.