SHAH ALAM, OCT 5: The Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) confirmed that the structure that was demolished at Surau Ar-Raudah, Setia Alam was not a minaret but a telecommunication tower erected without approval.
According to MBSA Corporate and Public Relations division, they have referred to the Selangor Islamic Religious department (JAIS) and found that the structure was also unauthorised by them.
The statement further mentioned that a coordination meeting was held on the action to demolish the unauthorised structure, involving representatives from JAIS, Petaling Land and District Office, Surau Ar-Raudhah Committee, Setia Indah 11 Residents Association and the Shah Alam Zone 21 Residents Representative Council (RRC).
Following the meeting, MBSA had asked the owner to take down the structure, to which the owner failed to comply.
Hence, MBSA said the action on October 4 was a result of the owner’s failure to take down the telecommunication structure based on a set timeline.
“Therefore, MBSA hopes that this clarification will provide a clear and true picture, and correct information to the public regarding the demolition of this unauthorised telecommunication structure.
“MBSA is a local authority that practices and upholds the concept of integrity and transparency, providing the best of efficient services to the public,” he said.
Several media have reported that MBSA had supposedly demolished an unauthorised minaret.
The demolition of the structure which was about 30 metres was done with a crane and took place at about 9 am yesterday.
Meanwhile, MBSA council member Muhammad Shakir Ameer said the report by Utusan Online, which stated that it was a minaret instead of a telecommunication tower, was a slanderous allegation and unfair to MBSA staff who had relentlessly tried to provide the best of services.
“I am shocked that Utusan Online can publish that kind of heading with the intention to politicize and defame the civil service, which was only carrying out its duties of upholding existing laws,” he said in a media statement.
He strongly condemned the report and called for Utusan Online to retract the report and apologise to MBSA and its staff.
“MBSA will not hesitate to take legal action against Utusan Online if they fail to do so,” he said.
MBSA: Unauthorised telecommunication tower demolished, not minaret
