KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 — The Ministry of Local Government Development has warned about the continued crackdown on commercial premises renovated into tiny rental rooms resembling ‘bird’s nests’, said its minister Nga Kor Ming.
Checks revealed that some residential unit owners renovated their property without approval from the authorities.
Premises owners must comply with the guidelines and specifications set by the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department as well as the relevant local authorities to avoid the risks of fire hazards, and action will be imposed to enforce legal provisions and protect the safety of lives and property.
“Among the actions to be imposed are issuing the fire hazard removal notices under Section 8 of Act 341 (Fire Services Act 1988), providing an appropriate period for premises owner to comply. Failure to comply will lead to an investigation for prosecution purposes,” he said after attending the Fire Hazard Prevention Operation (MBK) in Taman Maluri today.
The MBK operation was carried out after the premises owner, who rented out tiny rooms in Taman Maluri, failed to comply with the notice issued by the authorities five days ago for making illegal renovations to the premises.
“A spot check was carried out here to identify fire hazards at the premises modified into rental rooms…I observed dangerous conditions for the occupants,” Nga said.
The media has previously reported the existence of such rooms at two-storey premises in Taman Maluri that do not meet the building and fire safety standards.
— Bernama
