Throw the book at errant builders, landowners: Councillor

Wilfred Yap (left) with SUPP members at a site at 7th Mile where construction works of a structure without approval is alleged to be carried out.

KUCHING: The issue of illegal extensions and construction of illegal structures on state land can be solved by tightening existing legislation – by imposing a fine on contractors who undertake such works for landowners of buildings or structures or extensions without approval from the relevant authorities.

Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Public Complaints Bureau chief Wilfred Yap said a fine would serve as a deterrent for contractors not to carry out works for parties when approvals for such works had not been obtained.

He said illegal construction of extensions and encroachment onto state land by irresponsible parties were common and the Padawan Municipal Council (MPP), of which Yap is a councillor, had received a lot of complaints.

He said he had raised the issues numerous times in the monthly MPP council meetings.

The most recent case, he added, was the construction of a structure on a parcel of land.

The complainant had alleged that the said construction works appeared to be encroaching onto state land meant to be used as a road and was also carried out without approval from the relevant authorities.

Following the information received, the matter was immediately communicated to the relevant department of MPP to check whether the landowner concerned had submitted building plans to MPP for approval and for appropriate legal action to be taken against the landowner if there was no such application.

Yap hoped that the public would cooperate with the relevant authorities by considering what the impact of their action would have on others.

“Being responsible and considerate is the key to making sure our actions will not cause a nuisance to others. This will go a long way towards reducing the enforcement work load of the relevant authorities concerned and making our environment more conducive for doing business and living.”

Sarawak Tribune, 25 Feb 2019