Latest news with #UBBL
The Star
26-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Safer high-rises for kids
Safety first: Experts are calling for measures to be taken to curb accidental falls, especially of children, from high-rise buildings. Photo posed by a model. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star Experts reignite calls for better protection in dwellings PETALING JAYA: Two recent fatalities involving children in high-rise residential buildings have reignited calls for enhanced safety regulations, with a focus on balconies and window grilles. Experts have called for a review of the relevant local government by-laws to make such dwellings safe for toddlers and other young children. Children's Commissioner to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) Dr Farah Nini Dusuki said the two deaths which occurred within three days made the issue more pressing, with past statistics not to be overlooked. ALSO READ: More than just a view in Singapore and London 'Besides reviewing the existing by-law on balcony height, installing window grilles or netting for high-rise accommodation should be made mandatory. 'The protection of children must override aesthetic considerations,' she said when contacted. On May 17, a two-year-old boy fell to his death from the seventh floor balcony of a public housing flat in Precinct 9, Putrajaya. Following this, a seven-year-old girl who was believed to have climbed out of a window fell to her death from the 29th floor of her babysitter's condominium in Puchong on May 20. Under the Uniform Building By-Laws 1984 (UBBL), balcony railings of residential high-rise buildings cannot be less than a metre or 1,000mm, but local authorities can impose stricter requirements. CLICK TO ENLARGE It is also not mandatory for window grilles to be installed in residential high-rise buildings under the UBBL, although it could be regulated by the building's management or voluntarily installed by the owners. Child activist Datuk Dr Amar Singh HSS agreed that current by-laws were inadequate in preventing accidental falls involving children at high-rise residences. He said what was needed were by-laws that mandated high-rise residential buildings to be fall-proof for children. 'The UBBL should explicitly address child safety in high-rise dwellings,' he said. The paediatrician suggested mandatory installation of invisible grilles at balconies made from strong stainless steel cables that provide a barrier without obstructing the view. (Invisible grilles are a type of safety grille designed to provide protection without blocking the view or significantly altering the appearance of a window or balcony and typically made of thin, high-tensile stainless steel cables spaced closely together to create a barrier.) Dr Amar also proposed window restrictors to limit the maximum opening of windows to between 10cm and 12cm as well as childproof locks on balcony and sliding doors, and windows. 'Accidental falls from high-rise buildings are posing a threat to children's safety, especially with high-rise living becoming more common. 'Young children are naturally curious but may underestimate the danger. 'In addition, cartoon and TV shows on superheroes may give them a false sense of safety,' he pointed out. Dr Amar said constant supervision by parents and caregivers was important although he accepted that it was difficult to keep an eye on children all the time. 'Parents should evaluate the risk of their high-rise apartments and remove all furniture near windows and balconies so that they do not aid children in climbing,' he said. Dr Amar also suggested that the government provide assistance, mainly to the B40 community who live in flats, to child-proof windows and balconies. Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said present by-laws on high-rise residential buildings which did not take into account child safety must be reviewed. 'The design of high-rise buildings are more on aesthetics rather that safety. It does not take into account aspects of children prone to playing along corridors. 'The current by-laws must be relooked to address safety concerns involving children,' he said. Lee suggested the installation of motion- sensing CCTVs at all floors of high-rise buildings which will allow security teams to raise an alert if children were at risk. 'This may involve cost, but it is something worth spending on if it can prevent the loss of life,' he added.
Daily Express
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Penang exco calls for clear policy on construction of non-Islamic places of worship
Published on: Tuesday, May 20, 2025 Published on: Tue, May 20, 2025 By: Opalyn Mok, Malay Mail Text Size: Penang executive councillor Lim Siew Khim said such a policy would make it mandatory for places of worship (RIBI) to apply for planning permission and building plan approvals through the state's One-Stop Centre. — Picture by Opalyn Mok GEORGE TOWN: The Penang state government needs to establish a clear policy regarding the construction or renovation of non-Islamic places of worship in the state, said state executive councillor Lim Siew Khim. The social, welfare, and non-Islamic affairs committee chairman said such a policy would make it mandatory for places of worship (RIBI) to apply for planning permission and building plan approvals through the state's One-Stop Centre. 'This is to ensure that the building design, structure, and location adhere to the Uniform Building By-Laws (UBBL) and the approved land use plan,' she said in response to a question by Amir Hamzah Abdul Hashim (PAS–Permatang Pasir). As of May, Penang has a total of 136 illegal RIBI, with 115 on the island and 21 in Seberang Perai, Lim revealed. She said the number of illegal RIBI has decreased due to continuous monitoring and updates by both city councils. 'Between 2023 and 2024, a total of 43 illegal RIBI were identified by the Seberang Perai City Council, while the Penang Island City Council recorded 149 sites,' she said. Advertisement Lim added that the state government will continue holding engagement sessions with RIBI association representatives to emphasise the importance of submitting official applications before constructing or renovating structures. 'The state government's approach includes collaborating with the Registrar of Societies (RoS) to encourage every RIBI to register their information so that the state has an official record of their existence,' she said. On enforcement, Lim said action was taken against six illegal structures, most of which were small shrines or structures encroaching on government reserve land. The six structures include one in North Seberang Perai, two in Central Seberang Perai, two in South Seberang Perai, and one in the northeast district of the island. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
New Straits Times
20-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Penang sees decline in illegal worship sites following state monitoring
GEORGE TOWN: Nearly 200 unauthorised non-Islamic places of worship (RIBI) sites were recorded across Penang between 2023 and 2024. State Non-Islamic Committee chairman Lim Siew Khim (DAP - Sungai Pinang) said that 43 such sites were identified within the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) jurisdiction, while 149 were recorded under the Penang Island City Council (MBPP). However, she said that continued data updates and consistent monitoring had led to a decline in the number of unauthorised RIBI construction sites. "As of May this year, the number of unauthorised sites under MBPP has decreased to 115, while MBSP now records 21. "This suggests that our monitoring efforts and ongoing data refinement are having a positive impact in addressing this issue," she said, responding to a question from Amir Hamzah Abdul Hashim @ Md Hashim (Pas – Permatang Pasir) during the state legislative assembly sitting today. Lim added that enforcement actions had been taken against six RIBI structures, mostly comprising small shrines and minor structures encroaching on government reserve land. Meanwhile, she said the Penang government would intensify engagement with each RIBI association to stress the importance of submitting formal applications prior to any construction. As part of initial efforts, the state government has collaborated with the Registrar of Societies Malaysia to encourage all RIBIs to register and provide detailed information, thereby facilitating the maintenance of accurate official records. "The next step involves the state establishing a clear policy mandating that all construction or renovation of RIBIs must obtain Planning Permission and building plan approval via the state One-Stop Centre (OSC). "This ensures that all buildings comply with the Uniform Building By-Laws (UBBL) and the approved land-use plans," she added.
Malay Mail
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Penang exco calls for clear policy on construction of non-Islamic places of worship
GEORGE TOWN, May 20 — The Penang state government needs to establish a clear policy regarding the construction or renovation of non-Islamic places of worship in the state, said state executive councillor Lim Siew Khim. The social, welfare, and non-Islamic affairs committee chairman said such a policy would make it mandatory for places of worship (RIBI) to apply for planning permission and building plan approvals through the state's One-Stop Centre. 'This is to ensure that the building design, structure, and location adhere to the Uniform Building By-Laws (UBBL) and the approved land use plan,' she said in response to a question by Amir Hamzah Abdul Hashim (PAS–Permatang Pasir). As of May, Penang has a total of 136 illegal RIBI, with 115 on the island and 21 in Seberang Perai, Lim revealed. She said the number of illegal RIBI has decreased due to continuous monitoring and updates by both city councils. 'Between 2023 and 2024, a total of 43 illegal RIBI were identified by the Seberang Perai City Council, while the Penang Island City Council recorded 149 sites,' she said. Lim added that the state government will continue holding engagement sessions with RIBI association representatives to emphasise the importance of submitting official applications before constructing or renovating structures. 'The state government's approach includes collaborating with the Registrar of Societies (RoS) to encourage every RIBI to register their information so that the state has an official record of their existence,' she said. On enforcement, Lim said action was taken against six illegal structures, most of which were small shrines or structures encroaching on government reserve land. The six structures include one in North Seberang Perai, two in Central Seberang Perai, two in South Seberang Perai, and one in the northeast district of the island.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bukit Lanchang rep: Penang has know-how to build quake-proof towers — so why haven't we used it?
GEORGE TOWN, May 19 — Batu Lanchang assemblyman Ong Ah Teong today proposed that technical guidelines for high-rise buildings in Penang be updated to include mandatory earthquake-resistant designs. The DAP lawmaker argued that new policies and guidelines must be formulated to compel all new high-rise projects to be earthquake-resistant. 'Adjustments to the Uniform Building By-Laws (UBBL) and the Local Plan need to be made to suit current needs and address modern disaster risks,' Ong proposed while debating his motion of thanks to the Penang Yang di-Pertua Negeri at the state legislative assembly today. He urged local councils and relevant agencies to conduct structural audits of existing buildings, particularly those exceeding 20 storeys or constructed before 2000. 'It is proposed that the state government introduce an Earthquake Protection Scheme similar to that practised in Taiwan, where earthquake disaster coverage is part of fire insurance policies,' he suggested. Ong also recommended the establishment of a Penang State Disaster Protection Fund in collaboration with the insurance and financial sectors. 'The safety of the people of Penang is our shared responsibility, so we should act before anything happens,' he said. Ong said the collapse of a 33-storey building in Bangkok, following tremors from a 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar on March 28, should be a 'wake-up call' for Penang to strengthen its structural safety policies. He noted that Penang also experienced tremors from an earthquake in North Sumatra on May 11. 'Many residents in Batu Lanchang felt anxious and shocked, considering that this area houses numerous high-rise apartments,' Ong said, adding that hundreds of densely populated high-rise residential buildings are located in the Batu Lanchang area. Ong expressed shock that local authorities reportedly do not possess specific data on buildings designed to withstand earthquakes. 'This means there is no legal requirement so far to ensure that all high-rise buildings are constructed according to earthquake-resistant specifications,' he said. Pointing out that this issue was raised in the state legislative assembly 14 years ago, in 2011, he said there has been no significant change in policies, guidelines or legislation since. 'As far as I know, only two structures in Penang have been designed to withstand earthquakes since the 1980s until now,' he said. The two structures were the first Penang Bridge and Komtar Tower, which houses the Chief Minister's Office and the State Executive Council members. He said the structures were designed based on resilience to an earthquake strength of 7.0 on the Richter scale and within a 300-kilometre radius of the epicentre. 'This shows that the technical capability and structural planning for earthquake resistance exists so it is time that this technology and requirement be extended to all high-rise residential buildings,' he said.
