Illegal structures in Pudu torn down

KUALA Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has finally demolished illegal structures obstructing waste cleaners from carrying out their work in Pudu.

These illegal structures, erected by licensed traders at the Lorong Baba back lane and Jalan Nyonya side lane, have been bothering Alam Flora waste cleaners for more than a year.

The cleaning crew had lodged numerous complaints this year with Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp).

A joint demolition operation was carried out involving officers and staff from DBKL’s enforcement, traffic, building services and health departments as well as from Air Selangor, Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) and the police.

Three lorries, a backhoe, shovels, a tow truck, demolition hammer and drills were used to bring down the structures occupying the Lorong Baba back lane.

It took at least five hours to remove and dismantle chairs, tables, metal awnings and canopy frames.

StarMetro first highlighted the issue, in March after receiving complaints from waste cleaners that licensed traders had set up stalls and permanent structures along the back lanes without authorisation.

By doing so, the traders violated numerous licensing by-laws, including the Street, Drainage, and Building Act of 1974.

Traders also left behind mobile food kiosks, cooking stoves, built-in sinks and exhaust fans.

A DBKL enforcement officer, who preferred to remain anonymous, said City Hall was not able to determine the cost of the demolition exercise yet as it needed input from the engineering and mechanical department which had provided machinery, vehicles and logistics for the job.

“Once we have the figures, the traders who owned and installed these obstructions will have to bear the removal cost,’’ he said.

Following the news article, DBKL had persuaded traders whose licences were set to expire in November to vacate the premises earlier, which they eventually did in June.

However, the obstructions still remained at the site.

Alam Flora workers, when contacted, expressed gratitude to DBKL for clearing up the lanes.

“I am happy. My job cleaning the lanes will be much easier now and our rubbish lorries can manoeuvre in and out without the drivers worrying about hitting something,” said a manager from the waste company who declined to be named.

Business owners in the area also expressed happiness over the clean-up project.

“Good job, DBKL but please continue to monitor the area and don’t let the traders come back,” added a business owner who wanted to be known as Ricky.

StarMetro’s article on the illegal structures on Sept 25, 2023.