PETALING JAYA (Jan 21): The goal of achieving climate resilience will remain out of reach for decades to come if illegal structures continue to be built on privately-owned land without proper approval from the local authorities, said Association of Consulting Architects Malaysia (ACAM) president Jafri Merican.
In a statement, the ACAM urged the general public to embrace the strategies of climate resilient development introduced in the 11th Malaysia Plan 2016-2020.
Jafri added: “[Structures need to be built with consultations by experts] such as architects and other allied professionals who are properly qualified to advise and design buildings that are well suited to their context, are sustainable and are energy-efficient with a good carbon footprint which in the long run will help address issues related to climate adaptability.”
Critical issues such as site stability, drainage, the development flood level, impact on ecology, traffic accumulation and many other environmental concerns have negative consequences for the ability of our urban and rural areas to cope with adverse effects of climate change if remain unresolved, he noted.
ACAM vice-president Bobby Low elaborated that strict regulations under the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 (Act 133) are already in place but the public might not be aware of them.
According to the statement, Part V of Clause 70 and its Subsections (1) and (2) specifically state that “no person shall erect any building without prior written permission of the local authority and that drawings of the building must be submitted by a principal submitting person” who, in the case of buildings, is stipulated to be the architect and for smaller buildings the registered building draughtsman.
Subsection (11) specifies the hefty fines imposable as a result of flouting the provisions of the Act — where in cases of illegal renovation, a fine not exceeding RM25,000 with the order to alter and demolish the illegal extension.
Subsection (12), meanwhile, states a fine for using a building for a purpose different from its original intent amounting to RM25,000 with a further fine of RM100 for each day of continued offence.
Subsection (14) specifies the fine for building without approval in contravention of Subsection (13) whereupon conviction shall not be less than five times, but not exceeding 20 times, the plan submission fee that the state authority may prescribe.
ACAM immediate past president Jasmeet Singh Sidhu opined that imposing fines and policing can only go so far in preventing the public from conducting such illegal practices.
“What is most important is inculcating public awareness that illegal construction — and also indiscriminate disposal of rubbish and waste materials that clog drains — will cause a situation where the infrastructure will become unable to cope with exceptionally inclement rainfall, which in the end will bring everyone suffering and loss. Establishing a culture of civic mindedness is the way forward towards achieving climate resilience for our country,” he added.