Hitting the roof over fees

 

Keeping cool: Shelters (right) built on open space turned into a carpark opposite single-storey houses in Taman Rinting, Pasir Gudang. — THOMAS YONG/The Star

Pasir Gudang homeowners are upset that charges may be imposed on structures they built illegally to shelter vehicles.

HOMEOWNERS are hoping Pasir Gudang City Council (MBPG) will revoke notices issued to those who built covered parking on “no man’s land” in front of their houses.

Pensioner Sahak Samingan said he was given a red notice under the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 (Act 133).

“I have been living here for 21 years and this is the first time I received such a notice,” he said, adding that he built the car shelter as he did not want his vehicles to obstruct other road users.

According to Sahak, the letter states that the local council, through the Building Control Department, has introduced a regulation where every homeowner who builds a structure in front of their house must pay a deposit of RM500 to MBPG.

“The homeowner is also required to pay RM100 annually for the structure,” he said when met in front of his house in Taman Nusa Damai, Pasir Gudang, Johor.

On Sept 27, The Star reported that MBPG had decided to impose a fee starting next year on homeowners who built covered parking in front of their houses.

Covered parking built by residents of Nusa Damai, Pasir Gudang.

According to the Uniform Building By-laws 1974, those who wish to build covered parking must provide a copy of their MyKad, the location and date, their neighbour’s agreement and the design.

Applicants must also pay a processing fee of RM35, an annual permit fee of RM100 and a deposit of RM500.

The size is either 3m by 5m for right-angle parking or 3m by 6m for parallel parking.

Nusa Damai Rukun Tetangga (RT) chairman Mohd Saad Ismail opined that MBPG might be enforcing the law because of complaints from neighbours about some homeowners.

“If there are complaints, let them settle it within the community.

“There is no need for the council to intervene.

“If the council plans to issue a compound to those who build structures like stores which may affect the drainage system, then we will support it.

“But if it’s just covered parking, then no,” he said, adding that he had informed the MBPG chief whip Datuk Mohd Amin Ahmad of their stand.

Food stall owner G. Rajashekha said the covered parking he built helped protect his vehicles from being hit by rubbish trucks and school buses that pass by in front of his house in Taman Rinting.

Kamarulzaman (left) and Rajashekha are unhappy they have to pay for their covered parking.

“We live along the main road and I feel the covered parking has made it safer for all users.

“Why is there a need to charge homeowners now?” he asked.

His fellow Taman Rinting resident, Kamarulzaman Ismail said this was the second time he received a red notice from the council as he was given a similar letter five years ago.

“I did not hear anything after the first one and now I had been given such a notice again,” he said.

The retiree said it cost him RM8,000 to build the covered parking.

“I am willing to demolish it, but the council must ensure that there are no similar structures in Pasir Gudang,” he added.

Kamarulzaman said there might have been cases where a family built an extremely long structure to house all their vehicles and this might have encroached into the space in front of their neighbour’s house.

“Not all residents should have to pay for the fault of a few,” he said, adding that he was fine with paying RM100 yearly but not the RM500 deposit.

“The city council could easily make millions by collecting the deposit from thousands of houses in Pasir Gudang.

“The majority of us are from the B40 group and are still recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic, so please have a heart,” said Kamarulzaman.

MBPG responds

When contacted, Pasir Gudang mayor Datuk Asman Shah Abd Rahman said the notices issued by the city council were to remind homeowners to register the structures they had built.

He said MBPG was currently collecting data on those who had built covered parking in front of their houses.

“First of all, they need to remember that the structure is considered illegal as it was built on reserved land without permission and the council has the right to demolish it in accordance with the law.

Asman Shah: Residents must follow the city council’s rules.

“But instead, the council has taken the humane approach by giving them options and suggestions on how to better improve these structures,” he said.

Asman Shah pointed out that MBPG could be held accountable for untoward incidents, such as accidents, due to such illegal construction.

“The notice given only requires the homeonwers to register themselves, and pay RM35 for the processing fee as well as RM80 for a low-cost property or RM100 for a high-end property that will later be used as group insurance in case someone gets hurt by their neighbour’s covered parking structure.

“At present, these structures have been built without any safety specifications, which could pose a danger, so at least with this payment, we can ensure some form of protection is provided,” he told StarMetro.

Besides the shelters, some even set up food stalls and stores in front of their houses, he elaborated.

“Some had dug up the road to place cables or pipes underneath, which caused problems for other road users.

“We have these rules introduced so that these shelters do not end up as carwash businesses or carparks where homeowners collect a fee.

“There were cases where a person built three in front of his neighbour’s house and would not let others park there as he had built it first,” said the council president, stressing that rules must be followed.

Asman Shah said the council was obtaining feedback from ratepayers and councillors before coming up with a report on the matter next month.

Sahak showing the red notice he received from Pasir Gudang City Council on the covered parking.

“The most important thing is feedback from neighbours because some may have more than one car, and may build a structure that encroaches on or obstructs their neighbour.

“We want to ensure that every homeowner’s concerns are heard and their rights protected.

“We will also make sure that each structure meets safety standards and will not pose a danger to others,” he said after an MBPG full board meeting at Menara Aqabah.

“The new ruling will help ensure a more harmonious neighbourhood for all,” he added.

Asman Shah said councillors would incorporate any changes that needed to be made after obtaining public feedback.

Reactions to new rule

MBPG councillor Noor Azleen Ambros said a discussion was held with residents in Taman Scientex, Taman Cendana and Taman Rinting.

He said the response was quite negative and MBPG was urged to scrap its plan.

“Those who attended the programme also signed a petition over the matter,” he said, adding that residents were against the RM500 deposit and RM100 yearly payment.

“Some pointed out that they are only paying RM120 as quit rent for their house now,” said Noor Azleen.

He said residents also suggested that the regulation be imposed on new housing developments instead of existing ones.

He added that the regulation might inconvenience residents further as the council had also specified the construction materials that should be used to build such structures.

MBPG councillor Datuk Normala Abdul Samad said the fee would be an extra financial burden.

“Just because we have been awarded city status does not mean we should be imposing more fees on the people,” she said.

She added that during her discussion with Bandar Seri Alam residents, they expressed unhappiness at being charged for something that had been around for years.

When contacted, Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim urged the city council to only collect a yearly payment of RM100 for the covered parking.

He said MBPG should forgo the RM500 one-time deposit.

“Residents should make an application to the city council before proceeding to build covered parking from now on,” he said.

Pasir Gudang MCA division chief Tan Tuan Peng said both the city council and homeowners did not have the right to develop any reserved space.

“Open spaces cannot be turned into covered parking or for any other form of development.

“The council also does not have the right to give approval to build such structures to homeowners,” he said, adding that the move would only encourage more to build similar covered parking in other areas. - Star