IPOH: The Perak government will focus on regulating and legalising guardhouses in non-strata residential areas, says housing and local government committee chairman Sandrea Ng.
She said this was to ensure that safety measures in such areas are implemented in line with the law.
The regulation process is expected to take a year, she told reporters after a site visit to a golf club in Meru Valley and a gated and guarded community in Taman Putra Pertama on Monday (Oct 6).
Ng said placing guardhouses in non-strata areas had led to disputes among residents, including disagreements over security fees, differing opinions, and strained neighbourhood relations.
"The state government recognises that neighbourhood safety is always a top priority for residents.
"However, the growing trend of gated and guarded schemes in non-strata areas has also created confusion about their legal status," she added.
Ng said current legislation, such as the Strata Titles Act 1985 and the Strata Management Act 2013, only empowers joint management bodies or management corporations of stratified developments to take such security measures.
"For non-strata housing areas, any restriction or obstruction on public roads must first obtain approval under the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974.
"This has led to disputes, especially when members of the public or residents who did not contribute to the security fees are denied access to public roads," she said.
She added that the state would not rely solely on existing laws, but would pursue a more holistic and practical approach.
Ng said that for a start, the Ipoh City Council (MBI) has issued guidelines for the construction of guardhouses in residential areas to enhance security while ensuring smooth traffic flow, emergency access, and public right of way.
"Our immediate focus is to regulate and legalise.
"None of the existing guardhouses in non-strata housing areas under MBI had obtained formal approval.
"Previously, there was confusion in the interpretation of laws and guidelines, which is why MBI has now issued clear procedures to apply properly and plan systematically," she said.
Ng said applications must be submitted by registered residents’ associations with at least 85% resident consent, a clear layout plan, transparent management of security fees, and unobstructed access for emergency and utility vehicles.
She said once a complete application is submitted, feedback from relevant departments will be given, and the application should be processed within a month.
"So far, MBI has received four applications, including from Meru Valley, Taman Putra Pertama, Taman Kaya and Taman Megah.
"We remain committed to balancing safety, legality and neighbourhood harmony.
"Community safety will always remain a government priority, but it must be achieved lawfully, fairly and in a way that preserves neighbourhood unity," he added.
