Landowners urged to evict squatter or risk legal action

Daily Express

2 days ago

Published on: Tuesday, August 05, 2025
Published on: Tue, Aug 05, 2025
By: Sidney Skinner Text Size: The smoke generated by the open-burning activities at this squatter colony on the hillside is a source of frustration to others living on Lorong Hen Paya 5. Those with vacant land around the State Capital have been asked be more mindful about the presence of squatters on their property and to deal with such unwanted occupants accordingly. A spokesman for City Hall's Enforcement Department said the onus was on landowners to have the encroachers evicted. 'Property-owners, who can't be bothered chasing out the trespassers, risk being compounded as much as RM500 under our (Building) By-laws 1951 (Amendment 1987),' he said. 'This action can be taken because of the illegal structures, including the shanties, which have come up on their land.' He said legal proceedings could be initiated against repeat offenders. 'If the matter is taken to court and they are found guilty, a fine for as much as RM 5,000 can be imposed on them.'
Advertisement 'Those convicted may also find themselves liable to a further fine of RM100 fine for every day during which the offence persists.' The spokesman was responding to feedback about a squatter colony which was forming in the hillside off Mile 3½ Jalan Tuaran. A Likas rate-payer spokeout about the haphazard disposal of the garbage on the slope saying that it was having a negative impact on the wellbeing of condominium-owners at Radiant Maisonette. Many of her neighbours had developed coughs from inhaling the smoke and toxic fumes given off when this waste was openly incinerated, according to her. The individual provided Hotline with the pertinent details which were forwarded to the agency. The spokesman said it was in the process of verifying the goings-on at the undeveloped property beside the condominiums on Lorong Hen Paya 5. 'We have working together with our Valuation Department, and the Lands and Survey Department, to obtain the landowner's details,' he said. 'A letter will be sent to him/ her about what has been transpiring on the vacant land.' Should the individual require, he/ she could request to conduct a joint inspection of the property together with City Hall's Enforcement team. 'If squatters are indeed found to have encroached onto the empty land, then, the owner will have to notify the trespassers to vacate the premises. 'Once the grace-period in these notices has expired, the individual can seek for our help in the clearing of his/ her land.' The spokesman stressed, however, that City Hall, and if need be the Police, could merely oversee any efforts to remove the squatters from the property. 'It is the owner's responsibility to engage a contractor to execute the eviction of the squatters, and demolition of any illegal structures, including houses, from his/ her parcel of land.' * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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