KUALA LUMPUR: Nga Kor Ming has announced that the Local Government Development Ministry will continue its crackdown on commercial premises that have been transformed into small rental rooms resembling “bird’s nests.”
The Local Government Development Ministry revealed that some owners of residential units have been renovating their properties without seeking approval from authorities.
Nga Kor Ming emphasized that premises owners must abide by the guidelines and specifications set by the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department and relevant local authorities to prevent fire hazards. He added that legal provisions will be enforced and measures will be taken to ensure the safety of lives and property.
One of the actions that will be taken is the issuance of fire hazard removal notices under Section 8 of Act 341 (Fire Services Act 1988). Premises owners will be given a reasonable period to comply with the notices.
If premises owners fail to comply, they will be investigated and potentially prosecuted, warned Nga Kor Ming during the Fire Hazard Prevention Operation (MBK) in Taman Maluri.
The MBK operation was conducted after the owner of a premises in Taman Maluri, who rented out tiny rooms, failed to comply with a notice from the authorities issued five days prior. The premises were found to have undergone illegal renovations.
“During the spot check conducted here, we identified fire hazards in the premises that had been converted into rental rooms… I witnessed dangerous conditions for the occupants,” Nga Kor Ming expressed.
The media has previously reported about the presence of these rooms in two-storey premises in Taman Maluri that do not meet building and fire safety standards, as per Bernama.
