Lakeside residents want DBKL to remove structures

TENSION is brewing in Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, Kuala Lumpur, between residents and a non-profit operating an eatery and a storage facility there.Sited side by side, the eatery and storage area have been operating for more than a year at a vacant lot near residential houses.

Residents have called on Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to demolish the structures, claiming they are a public nuisance and contributing to traffic congestion as well as noise and cleanliness problems.

A meeting was held on June 27 involving DBKL and Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad for residents to give their objections.

Laif Ahmad Fisal, who spoke on the residents’ behalf, said they were upset with DBKL’s inaction despite multiple complaints on the matter.

“During the meeting, DBKL said the premises owner has been issued a final notice and the structures will be removed by Oct 16,” he said, stressing that residents hoped DBKL would follow through with enforcement action.

“However, no explanation was given about how the organisation was issued a business licence in the first place,” said Laif.

In February, DBKL representatives inspected the site and issued a 14-day notice to vacate.

Aerial view of the storage facility located next to the eatery. — Filepic

On May 17, StarMetro reported that the structures were erected without obtaining a development order from DBKL.

The site visit was made after residents lodged multiple complaints.However, no action has been taken since then.

When contacted, the non-profit Malaysia Consultative Council of Islamic Organisation (Mapim) said it was negotiating with DBKL on this issue.

Its representative said Mapim had a business licence and was appealing to the authorities for it to continue operating at the site.

Laif said residents’ attempts to engage with Mapim for further details on its operations were futile.

He said checks by residents also found that the plot of land on which the structures were sited was government-owned.

The structures, Laif said, were affecting residents’ quality of life and were an eyesore.

Rubbish piles were a common sight and it was noisy at night due to the many vehicles parked in the area, he added.

DBKL had yet to respond to request for comments at press time.