JOHOR BARU: Five of the factories in Masai that recently went up in flames were unlicensed and built illegally, says Johor Baru mayor Datuk Mohd Haffiz Ahmad.
He stated that the massive fire, believed to have originated at an oil processing and storage facility in Taman Kota Puteri, involved five premises that did not hold a business license from the Johor Baru City Council (MBJB).
“Only the oil processing and storage facility had a business licence.
“The other five factory structures, including those set up using cabins, did not have MBJB business licence and were also illegally built on the land,” he said in a press conference after chairing the MBJB monthly full board meeting here on Tuesday (July 1).
He said the council found out that the premises had rented the space from the landowner, who had allowed them to build the structures.
“MBJB will be taking action against the land owner for renting his land to illegal businesses,” he said, adding that police have also recorded the statements of the factory operators for further action.
On June 21, flames engulfed at least five premises at Jalan Cenderai 27 in Taman Kota Puteri, affecting an area of about 1,000 sq m.
More than 15 vehicles were destroyed, including tankers, cars and motorcycles.
Witnesses reported small explosions as the fire released thick clouds of smoke, making the smog visible even from the Eastern Dispersal Link highway, some 8km away.
