HOUSEOWNERS in Jalan Tiong 16, Puchong Jaya are urging Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) to exclude them from its programmed to legalise home renovations.
They said their homes were built long ago and most of them did not have the building and renovation plans to submit to MPSJ for its legalisation programme introduced in February last year.
Since March 24 this year, Puchong and Serdang residents have been receiving notices from MPSJ reminding them to submit building plans to get their home renovations legalised by Aug 31.
Failure to do so by the date would result in the council tearing down their illegal extensions with homeowners having to bear the costs, as provided for under Section 72 of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 (Act 133).
Residents, who have been living in Puchong Jaya for more than 20 years, say the council’s demands are not feasible.
Benny Ng, who has been living in the neighborhood for 29 years, said MPSJ’s requests were unreasonable as many residents did not have the required documents.
“This is my late father’s house and I am unable to locate the building plans because it was not passed on to me.
“It is unreasonable for MPSJ to expect me to have all these documents when 20 years ago, no one asked these things from us,” he said during a press conference at the Jalan Tiong 17 public park yesterday.
J. Banskaur Niranjan, who has lived in area for 12 years, said she hoped that MPSJ would waive the requirement for older houses.
“About 10 years ago, we did some renovations to extend the kitchen and master bedroom.
“We don’t have the building plans and other documents because it was such a long time ago. I am not sure what we can do now or how to get the documents sought by MPSJ, ” she said.
In StarMetro’s article, “Chance to legalise illegal renovations”, on Feb 18 last year, it was reported that MPSJ was giving homeowners a one-year grace period beginning March 1 last year to submit their building plans and related documents.
The grace period was extended twice and is not scheduled to end on Aug 31 this year.
Puchong MCA secretary Liew Yew Fook, who was at the press conference, said residents were not well-informed on MPSJ’s home renovations legalisation programme.
“Where is the MPSJ councillor and assemblyman? Why have they not spoken to the residents about this matter?
“I hope MPSJ will explain to the residents here on how they can resolve their dilemma.
“I agree with MPSJ that this legalisation programme needs to be done for the safety of all residents but it needs to be communicated better,” he added.
