Latest news with #KKSHAM
The Star
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Over 4,000 unlicensed factories in Selangor
Ng (seated, fourth from left) at the press conference after chairing the meeting on illegal factories. — KK SHAM/The Star A TOTAL of 4,170 unlicensed factories have been identified operating illegally throughout Selangor. State local government and tourism committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim said this marked a reduction from the over 6,000 premises previously recorded. 'This updated figure follows a comprehensive whitening exercise carried out by the special committee on illegal factories. 'It serves as the foundation for the three-year Legalising of Unlicensed Factories programme (PPKTK), running from 2024 to 2027,' Ng said at a press conference after chairing a meeting by the standing committee on illegal factories at Bangunan Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah (SSAAS) in Shah Alam. The meeting was attended by representatives from several state agencies including the Selangor Land and Mines Office (PTGS) and Selangor State Economic Planning Unit (Upen). Ng said Selangor aimed to assist unlicensed factory operators in transitioning to legal operations. 'However, enforcement action will be taken against those who continue to refuse to come forward,' Ng warned. 'So far, 90 notices under Section 7A have been issued, and the state government expects to issue 500 notices by July. 'These notices instruct landowners to restore land that has been misused, such as for the construction of factories on agricultural land,' he said. Ng identified Klang and Petaling as focus areas for enforcement, due to the number of structures built on government land without approval. 'There are 17 factories in Klang and 51 in Petaling operating on government land, including road reserves. 'These include furniture factories, lorry depots, machinery workshops, aluminium workshops, and storage areas for heavy machinery like forklifts,' he said. Ng emphasised that the legalisation offer was a final opportunity for operators to come forward. 'The state government is being fair to all parties. 'It is not right for compliant factories operating in industrial zones to be burdened by illegal competitors,' he said. It was previously announced that the legalisation programme would adopt a dual approach of incentives and enforcement. Among the special offers are a 30% discount on land premiums, development charges, and contributions to the Infrastructure Services Fund (ISF).
The Star
07-05-2025
- General
- The Star
S'gor in a fix over unowned ponds
Flood mitigation works along Sungai Kandis in Klang is one of the 32 projects under DID. — KK SHAM/The Star The status of over 300 flood retention ponds in Selangor are unknown as the developers who sold off all units in their projects decades ago, are either no longer in business or bankrupt. State infrastructure and agriculture committee chairman Datuk Izham Hashim said over 300 retention ponds in Selangor were 'absent of an owner' hence putting the state government in a fix. 'Absent ownership of these retention ponds creates challenges in maintenance. 'Ensuring the ponds effectively store and release surface runoff is crucial,' he told reporters after chairing the infrastructure development meeting at Klang Royal City Council (MBDK). Izham said the over 300 ponds still served their flood prevention purpose despite ownership issues. 'We have carried out a census on flood retention ponds. Out of 600 ponds, more than 100 are under the purview of Selangor Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID). Izham: Selangor taking over 55 retention ponds in Klang. 'Not many are under local councils; most of the ponds are under third parties – developers who have not surrendered the ponds to the authorities for decades,' he said. Izham said Selangor government was working out a method to tackle the issue as it involved private land and the state did not want to be drawn into a legal dispute. 'Selangor is in the midst of taking over 55 retention ponds in Bandar Puteri and Bandar Botanic in Klang. 'For new developments, we have made it compulsory for developers to hand over the ponds before the Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC) is issued,' he added. (The CCC certifies building safety and regulatory standards.) Izham said regular maintenance of those ponds was critical to ensure effective function. 'Important aspects of maintenance work include removing accumulated sediment, controlling wild vegetation and ensuring effective operations. 'Ponds are desilted twice annually but at times once a year, depending on the area,' he said. On a similar matter, Izham said 17 projects aimed at addressing flood issues in Klang were scheduled for completion before October 2025 as part of short-term measures carried out by the state. 'The projects costing RM3.35mil are being implemented at 13 flood hotspots in Klang.' Among them are Kampung Johan Setia, Taman Teluk Pulai and Kampung Bukit Kapar. 'For the medium-term, 10 projects have been planned costing RM8.2mil while in long-term, there are five projects costing RM36mil in the pipeline.' He added that 32 flood mitigation projects in Klang, costing RM47.55mil, were being managed by DID. Izham said a working paper on the decision by the MBDK infrastructure development meeting would be tabled at the Selangor Economic Action Council meeting, in the next two weeks, for state government approval.
The Star
05-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Klang council targets ‘borrowed' licences used by foreign traders
MBDK wants its Wet Market Unit to monitor Pasar Besar Meru to catch foreigners using licences belonging to locals. — KK SHAM/The Star KLANG Royal City Council (MBDK) has embarked on an exercise to crack down on foreigners who 'borrow' trading licences from locals to run businesses. Mayor Datuk Abd Hamid Hussain said there would be immediate licence revocation, blacklisting of the local trader's name as well as seizure of goods for those caught in violation. 'Complaints that locals sublet their trading licences will not be tolerated,' he said. 'Starting June 1, MBDK aims to achieve zero foreign workers at council-owned kiosks and stalls at public markets, and this decision aligns with that goal.' 'The Wet Market Unit under the city council's Health Department has been told to strictly monitor Pasar Besar Meru, which has wholesale and retail sections. 'We will also monitor other markets under MBDK's purview, namely Pasar Baru Pekan Kapar, Pasar Besar Pelabuhan Klang and Pasar Pandamaran.' Pasar Besar Meru's retail section has 378 stalls, while its wholesale section has 117 stalls. Abd Hamid said only Malaysians were allowed to operate or work at council run-wet markets and food courts, including as assistants. 'All who work at these places must be registered with the council by June 1,' he said, while urging traders to comply with council regulations. 'Our aim is to prioritise job opportunities for locals, in addition to streamlining workers at such council-managed facilities and ensure they are vaccinated if their work involves food preparation.' – By EDWARD RAJENDRA
